Bell wished to postpone the marriage until the flitting to Edinburgh was over, but Mrs. Barrie would not hear of this; so the earliest possible day was fixed, Bell having determined to get Blackbrae all right, and thereafter to see Mrs. Barrie settled in Edinburgh.
Bell found a “best-maid” in Mary Barrie, who was now a handsome young lady of eighteen. Besides having had a good education, she had the not less important advantage of a thorough training in household work from her mother and Bell. She was a sweet-tempered, charming girl, and entered into the preparations for Bell’s marriage with great spirit,—so much so that she became Bell’s adviser or rather confidant, and put her head, her hands, and her heart into the work.
Mr. Tait, the schoolmaster, whose examination occupied part of an earlier chapter, was “best-man.”
James Barrie, now a promising young student, heard Mary wondering who would give away the bride, and he expressed to Mrs. Barrie his desire to do so; but his mother thought he was rather young, and had intended to ask Mr. Taylor, when another applicant for the honour appeared.
Mr. Tait, the schoolmaster, was calling on Mr. Walker on parish business, and, as his uncle David of Blackbrae had told him of his intended marriage, and “trysted” him for “best-man” the day after Bell and he had “made it up,” he was the first to give Mr. Walker the news.
I have omitted till now to tell that Mr. Walker was a capital player on the violin; his general instrument, indeed, was the violoncello, “the bass fiddle”—possibly because it was more solemn and ministerial-looking than the “wee fiddle;” and he had few equals in playing Scotch music of all kinds.
When he heard of David Tait’s approaching marriage with Bell, he started up in an ecstasy of delight, threw up his arms, and said:
“What! Bell Barrie married—David Tait married! Bell Barrie married to David Tait—David married to Bell! That’s news! that is news! It’s the best thing I’ve heard of for many a day;” and he took a good, hearty laugh. Then he resumed:
“That is news! He’s a decent, honest, sterling man, your uncle—a great friend of mine” (Mr. Walker’s forte was friendliness—his heart was larger than his head); “a fine, a very fine man. Then Bell; Bell’s a—it beats me to tell what Bell is. She’s the cleverest an’ best servant in Blinkbonny; but she’s more—she’s—she’s Bell Barrie, and that’s the pink o’ perfection for a farmer’s wife. She’s a tocher in hersel’. Bell for a manager—Bell for a garden, or hens, or cows, or cookin’! Excuse me, Mr. Tait, I cannot refrain from expressing my delight. I’ll need to try the fiddle, and see if it will quiet me. Bell mistress o’ Blackbrae! They’re made for one another. It never struck me before, but it’s perfection.”
“BAITH MICHT AND MAIN.”