Transcribed from the 1895 Macmillan and Co. edition by DavidPrice,
On New Year’s day Dr. Pringle received a letter fromIndia, informing him that his cousin, Colonel Armour, had died atHydrabad, and left him his residuary legatee. The same postbrought other letters on the same subject from the agent of thedeceased in London, by which it was evident to the whole familythat no time should be lost in looking after their interests inthe hands of such brief and abrupt correspondents. “To say the least of it,” as the Doctor himselfsedately remarked, “considering the greatness of theforth-coming property, Messieurs Richard Argent and Company, ofNew Broad Street, might have given a notion as to the particularsof the residue.” It was therefore determined that, assoon as the requisite arrangements could be made, the Doctor andMrs. Pringle should set out for the metropolis, to obtain aspeedy settlement with the agents, and, as Rachel had now, to usean expression of her mother’s, “a prospect beforeher,” that she also should accompany them: Andrew, who hadjust been called to the Bar, and who had come to the manse tospend a few days after attaining that distinction, modestlysuggested, that, considering the various professional pointswhich might be involved in the objects of his father’sjourney, and considering also the retired life which his fatherhad led in the rural village of Garnock, it might be ofimportance to have the advantage of legal advice.
Mrs. Pringle interrupted this harangue, by saying, “Wesee what you would be at, Andrew; ye’re just wanting tocome with us, and on this occasion I’m no for makingstep-bairns, so we’ll a’ gang thegither.”
The Doctor had been for many years the incumbent of Garnock,which is pleasantly situated between Irvine and Kilwinning, and,on account of the benevolence of his disposition, was muchbeloved by his parishioners. Some of the pawkie among themused indeed to say, in answer to the godly of Kilmarnock, andother admirers of the late great John Russel, of that formerlyorthodox town, by whom Dr. Pringle’s powers as a preacherwere held in no particular estimation,—“He kens ourpu’pit’s frail, and spar’st to save outlay tothe heritors.” As for Mrs. Pringle, there is not suchanother minister’s wife, both for economy and management,within the jurisdiction of the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, and tothis fact the following letter to Miss Mally Glencairn, a maidenlady residing in the Kirkgate of Irvine, a street that has beenlikened unto the Kingdom of Heaven, where there is neithermarriage nor giving in marriage, will abundantly testify.
Mrs. Pringle to Miss MallyGlencairn
Garnock Manse.
Dear Miss Mally—The Doctorhas had extraordinar news from India and London, where we are allgoing, as soon as me and Rachel can get ourselves in order, so Ibeg you will go to Bailie Delap’s shop, and get swatches ofhis best black bombaseen, and crape, and muslin, and bring themover to the manse the morn’s morning. If you cannotcome yourself, and the day should be wat, send Nanny Eydent, themantua-maker, with them; you’ll be sure to send Nanny,onyhow, and I requeesht that, on this okasion, ye’ll getthe very best the Bailie has, and I’ll tell you all aboutit when you come. You will get, likewise, swatches ofmourning print, with the lowest prices. I’ll no be soparticular about them, as they are for the servan lasses, andthere’s no need, for all the greatness of God’sgifts, that we should be wasterful. Let Mrs. Glibbans know,that the Doctor’s second cousin, the colonel, that was inthe East Indies, is no more;—I am sure she will sympatheesewith our lo