“Ye may be sure that a've gien a' ye said ma best judgment, an' there's naething I wudna dae to be left in Burnbrae, but this thing ye ask a' canna grant.”
“Why not?” and the factor, lounging in his chair, eyed Burnbrae contemptuously as he stood erect before him. “My groom tells me that there is not a grain of difference between all those kirks in Scotland, and that the whole affair is just down-right bad temper, and I believe he 's right.”
“A' wudna say onything disrespectfu', sir, but it's juist possible that naither you nor your groom ken the history o' the Free Church; but ye may be sure sensible men and puir fouk dinna mak sic sacrifices for bad temper.”
“Come along, then,” and the factor allowed himself to be merry, “let's hear a sermon. You Scotchmen are desperate fellows for that kind of thing. Does the Free Kirk sing Psalms one way and the Established Kirk another? It's some stark nonsense, I know.”
“It may be to you, but it is not to us; and at ony rate, it is the truth accordin' tae ma licht, an' ilka man maun gae by that as he sall answer at the Judgment.”
“Don't stand canting here. Do you mean to say that you will lose your farm, and see your family at the door for a kirk? You can't be such a drivelling fool; and a fellow of your age too! Yes or no?”
“A' hae nae choice, then, but tae say No; an' that's ma laist word.”
“Then you and the rest of your friends will march, d' you understand? You may take this for notice at once--and I 'll get some tenants that have respect for--ah--for--in fact, for law and order.”
“Ye may clear the Free Kirk fouk oot o' Drumtochty, an' get new tenants o' some kind; but when ye hae filled the Glen wi' greedy time-servers his lordship 'ill miss the men that coonted their conscience mair than their fairms.”
“If you have quite finished, you may go,” said the factor; “leaving your farm does not seem to touch you much.”
“Sir,” replied Burnbrae with great solemnity, “I pray God you may never have such sorrow as you have sent on my house this day.” Jean was waiting at the top of the brae for her man, and his face told her the event.
“Ye maunna be cast doon, Jean,” and his voice was very tender, “an' a' ken weel ye 'ill no be angry wi' me.”