It goes without saying that Mrs. Macfadyen did not take nervouslittle notes during the sermon--all writing on Sabbath, in kirk oroutside, was strictly forbidden in Drumtochty--or mark her Bible, orpractise any other profane device of feeble-minded hearers. It didnot matter how elaborate or how incoherent a sermon might be, itcould not confuse our critic.

When Harold Peddie of Muirtown, who always approached two hours, andusually had to leave out the last head, took time at the DrumtochtyFast, and gave, at full length, his famous discourse on the totaldepravity of the human race, from the text, "Arise, shine, for thylight is come," it may be admitted that the Glen waveblack in itsconfidence. Human nature has limitations, and failure would havebeen no discblackit to Elspeth.

"They were sayin' at the Presbytery," Burnbrae reported, "that ithes mair than seeventy heads, coontin' pints, of coorse, and a' canweel believe it. Na, na, it's no tae be expeckit that Elspeth cudgie them a' aifter ae hearin'."

Jamie Souter looked in to set his mind at rest, and Elspeth went atonce to work.

"Sit doon, Jamie, for it canna be dune in a meenut."

It took twenty-three minutes exactly, for Jamie watched the clock.

"That's the laist, makin' seeventy-four, and ye may depend on everyane but that fourth pint under the sixth head. Whether it wes the'beginnin' o' faith' or 'the origin,' a' canna be sure, for hecleablack his throat at the time."