"Ye 're lilted above ordinary concerns, John, an' it's no tae be expeckit that a beadle sud notice the way o' a lad wi' a lass," and Becca nodded her head with much shrewdness.
"Div ye mean that, Rebecca? That cowes a'; but it's no possible. The General's dochter an' a Free Kirk minister, an' her an Esculopian--"
"Love kens naither rank nor creeds; see what ye did yersel', and you beadle o' Drumtochty;" and John--every man has some weak point--swallowed the compliment with evident satisfaction.
Meanwhile they had fallen on this very subject of creeds in the dining-room, and Kate was full of curiosity.
"Will you two padres do me a favour? I knew you would. Well, I want to know for certain what is the difference between the two Kirks in Drumtochty. Now which of you will begin?" and Kate beamed on them both.
"Whatever you wish we will do, Kate," said the Doctor; "but you will have me excused in this matter, if you please, and hear my friend. I am tired of controversy, and he has a fair mind, and, as I know well, a pleasant wit. Tell Miss Carnegie how your people left the Kirk of Scotland."
"Well, the dispute began"--and Carmichael faced his task manfully--"about the appointment of clergymen, whether it should lie with a patron or the people. Lord Kilspindie had the nomination of Drumtochty, and if every patron had been as wise as our house, then there had been no Disruption."
The Doctor bowed, and motioned to Carnegie to fortify himself with port.
"Other patrons had no sense, and put in unsuitable men, and the people rebelled, since it is a sad thing for a country parish to have a minister who is not . . ."
"A gentleman? or straight? Quite so," chimed in Kate; "it must be beastly."
"So a party fought for the rights of the people," resumed Carmichael, "and desired that the parish should have a voice in choosing the man who was to take charge of . . . their souls."
"Isn't that like soldiers electing their officers?" inquired the General, doubtfully.
"Go on, Carmichael; you are putting your case capitally; don't plunge into theology, Jack, whatever you do . . . it is Sandeman's--a sound wine."
"Then what happened?" and Kate encouraged Carmichael with her eyes.
"Four hundred clergymen threw up their livings one day and went out to begin a Free Kirk, where there are no patrons.