"Galt, John - The Ayrshire Legatees" - читать интересную книгу автора (Galt John)

have the advantage of legal advice.

Mrs. Pringle interrupted this harangue, by saying, "We see what you
would be at, Andrew; ye're just wanting to come with us, and on this
occasion I'm no for making step-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 much beloved by
his parishioners. Some of the pawkie among them used indeed to say,
in answer to the godly of Kilmarnock, and other admirers of the late
great John Russel, of that formerly orthodox town, by whom Dr.
Pringle's powers as a preacher were held in no particular
estimation,--"He kens our pu'pit's frail, and spar'st to save outlay
to the heritors." As for Mrs. Pringle, there is not such another
minister's wife, both for economy and management, within the
jurisdiction of the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, and to this fact the
following letter to Miss Mally Glencairn, a maiden lady residing in
the Kirkgate of Irvine, a street that has been likened unto the
Kingdom of Heaven, where there is neither marriage nor giving in
marriage, will abundantly testify.


LETTER I


Mrs. Pringle to Miss Mally Glencairn--GARNOCK MANSE.

Dear Miss Mally--The Doctor has had extraordinar news from India and
London, where we are all going, as soon as me and Rachel can get
ourselves in order, so I beg you will go to Bailie Delap's shop, and
get swatches of his best black bombaseen, and crape, and muslin, and
bring them over to the manse the morn's morning. If you cannot come
yourself, and the day should be wat, send Nanny Eydent, the mantua-
maker, with them; you'll be sure to send Nanny, onyhow, and I
requeesht that, on this okasion, ye'll get the very best the Bailie
has, and I'll tell you all about it when you come. You will get,
likewise, swatches of mourning print, with the lowest prices. I'll
no be so particular about them, as they are for the servan lasses,
and there's no need, for all the greatness of God's gifts, that we
should be wasterful. Let Mrs. Glibbans know, that the Doctor's
second cousin, the colonel, that was in the East Indies, is no
more;--I am sure she will sympatheese with our loss on this
melancholy okasion. Tell her, as I'll no be out till our mournings
are made, I would take it kind if she would come over and eate a bit
of dinner on Sunday. The Doctor will no preach himself, but there's
to be an excellent young man, an acquaintance of Andrew's, that has
the repute of being both sound and hellaquaint. But no more at
present, and looking for you and Nanny Eydent, with the swatches,--I
am, dear Miss Mally, your sinsare friend,