[2] The old Scotch name for the store-room containing dry food, such as flour, meal, etc.
This exercised Bell greatly. There was an old building in the north corner of the place, behind the bleaching-green, which I had left as it was; it was a compound of stable, hay-loft, cart-shed, fruit-room, and potato-house, but required considerable repair. I was undecided whether to repair it or replace it by a building more in keeping with the house, but Bell protested against new outhouses. “Na, na; nae mair expenses. Whitewash it, gi’e it a bit sort up, and it will fit us exactly.” Then going to the hedge on the east, she said, “Wha’s aught this park?”
“It goes with the house,” said I, “and is at Mr. Barrie’s service.”
Bell was delighted: she saw her way to bring “Daisy” and the hens. She became quite cheerful, and left me, saying as she parted, “It’s the very place for us. I wadna say it’s just up to the manse, but I’m thankfu’ to ken of such a gude hame for them among kent folk ‘Better a wee bush than nae bield,’[3] as the saying is. But it’s no’ wee either; it’s just real nice.”
[3] Shelter.
MR. BARRIE’S RETURN.
Mr. Barrie’s return was awaited by the folks of Blinkbonny with mingled feelings, uppermost being anxiety about his worldly prospects. They were hardly prepared for the Disruption; and when they learned that Mr. Barrie had disjoined himself from the Church of Scotland, and consequently from his only source of income hitherto, they spoke of it as a serious matter, a very serious matter. It looked a rash step, and they felt more than they said, for the thought of his family and their future support pressed heavily on their hearts, and made his friends silent and solemn. He reached home on Thursday afternoon, and felt at a loss how to act. A few of his elders and friends had had little meetings on the subject, but these were unsatisfactory, because every one had nearly the same want of opinion. “They really did not know what to do;” “What could they do?” was all they could say, followed by a shake of the head and a puzzled look at one another. When they learned that Mr. Barrie had got back, they debated whether to wait for him to propose a meeting, or to go to him. The majority recommended that some of their number should call at the manse; but each wished his neighbour to go, and all were reluctant.
At length Mr. Taylor, a worthy elder and a sterling man, said: “Friends, it will never do to back out that way. It’s unkind to Mr. Barrie, and it’s not creditable to ourselves. If three or four of you will join me,” and looking round the company, he nodded to each as he named,—“say Mr. Smith, and Mr. Watson, and Mr. Brown, and Mr. Martin,—we’ll go, and go soon.”
This met with universal approval, and a letter was sent to let Mr. Barrie know that some friends would wait on him about seven o’clock, if convenient. The reply was cordial and touching. It conveyed his heartfelt thanks for “the prompt kindness that provided for him so thoughtfully the earliest possible opportunity of explaining his position, and conferring with them on the important events of the past week,” and expressed the pleasure he would have in seeing all that could conveniently come, whether they approved of the step he had taken or not.
TANFIELD HALL.