One day Bell told Mrs. Barrie, with a gleeful face that belied her words, “that David had met wi’ a queer misfortune.”
“I’m sorry for that, Bell; what has happened? You seem to laugh rather than lament over it,” said Mrs. Barrie, with evident concern.
“Oh, mem, it’s a kind o’ laughable tae,” said Bell. “Last Sabbath day he was takin’ a lesson on the Bible before he cam’ to the kirk, an’ as it’s late afore he gets hame, he was eatin’ a bit piece; it was a warm mornin’, an’ he was sittin’ on a seat in front o’ his hoose. Weel, ane o’ the calves got out o’ the pen, an’ he lays down his Bible an’ his piece, an’ gangs to put in the calf. There was a soo gaun about the close [farm-court], an’ it snappit up David’s piece that was lying on the Bible; and it not only took the piece, but it ate a’ the Second Corinthians and a gude deal o’ the First. He’s very ill about it; he’s baith vexed an’ affrontit about it.”
“It was very provoking,” said Mrs. Barrie; “the sooner you become mistress of Blackbrae the better.”
“A FRIENDLY HITCH.”
Mrs. Barrie had hitherto spoken to Bell about David’s attentions more in joke than in earnest, until she knew that Mr. Barrie had decided to go to Edinburgh; but as David’s visits were becoming more frequent as well as longer, without seeming to come to anything definite, she resolved to give her two worthy friends a little help. One night, when David was in the kitchen, Mrs. Barrie went “ben” and said, after the usual courtesies had been exchanged: “Mr. Tait, I see that you are going to take Bell away to Blackbrae, reason or none, and I wish you much joy; a wife like Bell’s a prize not to be got every day, and you may consider yourself lucky to have won her. I’ll see about another servant to-morrow, although I never expect to get one as good as Bell. You must never think about waiting till the term. Marriages break all terms; indeed, if you both will take my advice, you will be married very soon.”
Bell was quite unprepared for such plain speaking; her stocking wires went very fast, and she did not know where to look. Mrs. Barrie then turned to her and said:
“Bell, get everything ready as soon as ever you can, so that we may come once or twice to see you after you are fairly settled at Blackbrae, before the long autumn nights set in.” And she added, what had never been said by her before: “You need not come in to worship to-night, Bell, as you two will have a very great deal to speak about. So good night, and good speed to you both.”
Bell’s House o’her ain, Blackbrae. (Page 250).