interest to buy golden opinions from all sorts of people. He
inquired the price of tea and sugar, and spoke of providing
himself for the year; he gave Mrs. Mac-Candlish directions to have
a handsome entertainment in readiness for a party of five friends
whom he intended to invite to dine with him at the Gordon Arms
next Saturday week; and, lastly, he gave a half-crown to Jock
Jabos, whom the hostler had deputed to hold his steed.

'Weel,' said the Deacon to Mrs. Mac-Candlish, as he accepted her
offer of a glass of bitters at the bar, 'the deil's no sae ill as
he's ca'd. It's pleasant to see a gentleman pay the regard to the
business o' the county that Mr. Glossin does.'

'Ay, 'deed is't, Deacon,' answered the landlady; 'and yet I wonder
our gentry leave their ain wark to the like o' him. But as lang as
siller's current, Deacon, folk maunna look ower nicely at what
king's head's on't.'

'I doubt Glossin will prove but shand after a', mistress,' said
Jabos, as he passed through the little lobby beside the bar; 'but
this is a gude half-crown ony way.'




CHAPTER XXXIII

A man that apprehends death to be no more dreadful but as a
drunken sleep, careless, reckless, and fearless of what's
past, present, or to come; insensible of mortality, and