"I see nae great reason," replied Carey, "for supposin there's ony great secret aboot it."
"What maks him keep a'body oot, then, Mr Carey, man?" said the mistress. "What gies him that side-look, that fearfu girn, an' his slouchin walk! What maintains him?—for he works nane; and why winna Jeanie speak abune her breath when she sees him, or answer, when he's awa, ony question aboot him or his hoose?"
"A' prejudice, Mrs Monilaws," replied Carey; "auld wive's wind eggs, hatched, nae doot, by a covey o' them, as they sit thegither till they clock. The puir man doesna want to be fashed wi' a set o' meddlin neebors."
At four o'clock, Elder Willison, John Monilaws, and Carey, went to the house of Cubby Grindstane. The door was locked. They knocked, and asked admittance.
"What want ye?" said a rough voice from within.
"We hae some shoes to get mended," said John Monilaws.
"I'm ill, an' no in a mendin way the day," replied Cubby, "Gang awa to Jamie Goodawls."
"Jamie has owre muckle to do, and tauld us to gang to Cubby Grindstane," said the godly elder.
"My awl's my ain," said Cubby, in worse humour; "an' sae lang as it's no thirled to the soles o' men, I'm free frae the power o' their bodies. Awa wi' ye!"
"You're in my district, Cubby," said the elder, "an' I hae the command o' Mr Singer, oor minister, to ca' upon ye, and inquire for the state o' yer soul, whilk, to reverse yer puir pun, is, we fear, owre closely thirled to yer all. Yer dochter has also a soul to be saved; and Mr Singer says he never saw you or her i' the kirk."