“That’s grand, Bell, that’s just exactly the very thing, the very thing, the very thing—that’s the ‘head-sheaf.’”
After this trip on “Parnassus,” which generally follows immediately after all newly-plighted troths, they settled down to a sober crack. David gave a description of his farm and stock, in which he was often interrupted by Bell’s questions; very practical all of them were, and specially gratifying to David. It was surprising how much she got out of him in a quiet way. But I will not tarry over the details, nor say how long they sat, or how they parted; I will only mention that after David had risen to leave, they stood a long time busily talking. He had said something about getting the house “gi’en a bit sort up,” but Bell said:
“Dinna fash mickle wi’t, David; tradesfolk often tak’ a lang time when they won in. When we get settled, we’ll dae a’ that far better after we see what’s what.”
After this night Bell seldom spoke of “I’ll do this, or I think that,” but it was, “We’ll put a’ richt—we’ll consider’t—we’ll MANAGE ’t.”
She did not tell Mrs. Barrie directly of her engagement, but it could not be hidden. Bell’s face was itself a tell-tale, and before the next forenoon was over she was asking Mrs. Barrie’s advice on various subjects far removed at once from her household concerns, and from anything likely to require her consideration as a servant.
“THERE’S A’ THE PLEASURES O’ THE HEART.”
Early in the afternoon Bell asked Mrs. Barrie, with an unusual timidity, almost a sheepishness of manner, if she would be so kind as to sell her “some o’ the black currants, noo that a’ the jam was made for the house?”
Mrs. Barrie took both Bell’s hands in hers, looked into her face with a smile of intense delight, to the dumfounderment [confusion] of poor Bell, who tried in vain to restrain her grins and blushes.
“Bell, Bell, as you yourself often say, ‘the cat’s out o’ the pock’—fairly out now. Allow me first to give both hands a good shake and wish you very much joy. I’m very, very glad for your sake, my good, kind Bell. May all that’s good attend you and Mr. Tait. I will have a great deal more to say to you afterwards, but I must run and tell Mr. Barrie.”
“There’s somebody wi’ him in the study the noo, mem,” said Bell; “an’ oh! if you please, dinna say much to me about this marrying business the day. I’m baith like to laugh and to greet about it yet, an’ I canna find words to thank ye wi’, so excuse me.” Then, after a short pause: “Will ye sell me the berries, mem?”