The
schoolboys from the adjacent villages were, on the Saturday
afternoons, frequently seen angling along the banks of the Lugton,
which ran clearer beneath the churchyard wall, and the hedge of the
minister's glebe; and the evenings were so much lengthened, that the
occasional visitors at the manse could prolong their walk after tea.
These, however, were less numerous than when the family were at
home; but still Mr. Snodgrass, when the weather was fine, had no
reason to deplore the loneliness of his bachelor's court.
It happened that, one fair and sunny afternoon, Miss Mally Glencairn
and Miss Isabella Tod came to the manse. Mrs. Glibbans and her
daughter Becky were the same day paying their first ceremonious
visit, as the matron called it, to Mr. and Mrs. Craig, with whom the
whole party were invited to take tea; and, for lack of more amusing
chit-chat, the Reverend young gentleman read to them the last letter
which he had received from Mr. Andrew Pringle. It was conjured
naturally enough out of his pocket, by an observation of Miss
Mally's "Nothing surprises me," said that amiable maiden lady, "so
much as the health and good-humour of the commonality.
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