Though known in days of past delight,
We knew not half their worth.”
Thos. Haynes Bayley.
SIR JOHN had written to his steward to tell me that Mr. Barrie had left the Established Church; the steward showed me the letter; it was a compound of amazement, sympathy, and anger.
Scarcely had he finished, when Bell, evidently in a state of great excitement, came in and said, “Eh, Mr. Martin, it’s ower true; we’ll hae to flit! Mr. Barrie’s gi’en up the kirk, and he has nae richt noo to the manse. I canna tell exactly when we’ll be putten out, but the mistress says we’ll no’ be allowed to bide lang. I wadna like to be the Government that put Mr. Barrie out o’ house and ha’. Some Mordecai will rise ere lang to gi’e us relief, or some Nehemiah to speak to the king and queen about the desolation and affliction and reproach. Them that comes to pit us out will maybe find an enemy in the garden, like Ahab in Naboth’s vineyard. What’s the world comin’ till?”
Sir John’s steward knew Bell well, and tried to soothe her by saying, “Don’t bother yourself. If Mr. Barrie adhered to his resolution to leave the Established Church, no one would presume to hurry him out of the manse; at all events, he could have it until a successor was appointed.”
But Bell was not in a sociable mood, and only said, “Sooner or later we maun flit.” Then handing me a letter from Mr. Barrie, she said she would step into the kitchen until I got it read, and wait to see if there was any answer.
KNOWE PARK.
The letter confirmed the steward’s news, and stated it would be a favour if I would reserve for him the first offer of Knowe Park, and that he would be home as soon as possible. After the steward had left I went to Bell, and told her that Mr. Barrie’s letter was about Knowe Park, and asked if she would come with me and see if it would suit. This was rather a sudden following up of the affair, as Bell had convinced herself that Mr. Barrie would never leave the manse; and although she had generally ended her remarks on the subject with “Wherever could we gang?” she had not tried to answer the question. After a little hesitation she said, “Knowe Park! that’s where Mr. Taylor lived,—he had a grand apple tree—an ‘Oslin pippin.’ Is’t aye yonder? It’s a nice garden—a nice place to stop. I’ve noticed them buildin’ a new house there, but I haena paid muckle attention till’t. I wad like to see’t. I’ll be very glad to gang.” And off we set.
It took a very few minutes to go. Bell was pleased with the outside of the house. “It was a nice house—fine big windows—faced the south—wad hae a grand view—the garden was bigger than she thocht, and in gude order. Is thae my plants?—they were thrivin’.” With such snatches did Bell accompany her survey of the place before she went into the house. She criticized the inside more minutely, her standard being the manse. As she went from room to room she spoke of each, or rather thought aloud: “This is the kitchen—it’s very nice—lichtsome—plenty o’ room—it looks a nice grate, or I fancy ye’ll ca’ that a range. I never tried them, but they say they’re handy. Presses—pantry. What’s ben here?—washing-house—coal-house—awmrie[2]—bedroom. Very nice; this will do fine. Noo, what about a study?” I suggested a bedroom, but she gave that only a partial approval; the other rooms pleased her. When I showed the drawing-room, “Drawing-room!” said she; “we hae nane at the manse, and Mrs. Barrie thinks we get on fine without it. We’ll make this the study. But what about the outhouses?”