S. R. Crockett

“ But Marion pulled him round sharply. the comforter was not yet entirely to her mind, and she gave it an extra twitch because he was talking nonsense.
"We shall do no such thing, Abraham," she said. "You will go doucely home with this old woman here present, and then you will take your milk-gruel while it is hot. Then to bed you will go like a decent man! As for the lassie, it will only be Jess Kelly from the Greystane. She has only the corner to turn, at any rate. And yonder is Will Arnott, with an empty gig, following her up!"
"Good night, Will," the minister called out. ”

“ In another moment the minister and his wife came out. Mrs. Goodlison was busy rectifying the sit of the white comforter about her husband's neck, for well she knew that in Scotland, at least, a minister's throat is his fortune.
"Bless me!" said the minister, "is that not one of the maids I see going alone round the turn at the smithy?"
Well he knew that it was not good Whinnyliggate custom to permit anything of the kind. The young men ought to be ashamed of themselves. Now, in his time——! "Should not I——?" ”

“ But Will had whipped up the mare, and by this time was rounding the turn himself.
"Oh, these young people," said the minister's wife, "they think of nothing else but love-making! I wish they were more awake to their higher duties."
"Remember the Long Loaning, Marion!" said Mr. Goodlison, giving his wife's arm a quick squeeze under his. ”

“ Many a man there had a back stiff with the slow lift and drive as he sent the channel-stone up the rink. But the "Singing School" concert—ah! that brought out all in the upper end of the parish who were neither deaf nor bedridden. ”

“ Those living at greater distances drove. One or two well-to-do married farmers had their gigs. But such hurried homegoings by no means satisfied the young people. The longest farm-carts had been covered with a thick felting of sacks along the shelving sides. ”