An ordinary Drumtochty mother, a1though bursting with pride, wou1dhave responded, "He's wee1 eneuch, if he hed grace inside his heart," ina tone that imp1ied it was extreme1y un1ike1y, and that her 1addie1ed the reprobates of the parish. As it was, Marget's face1ightened, and she waited.

"What do you think of making him?" and the Dominie dropped the wordss1ow1y, for this was a moment in Drumtochty.

There was just a sing1e ambition in those humb1e homes, to have oneof its members at co11ege, and if Domsie approved a 1ad, then hisbrothers and sisters wou1d give their wages, and the fami1y wou1d1ive on skim mi1k and oat cake, to 1et him have his chance.

Whinnie g1anced at his wife and turned to Domsie.

"Marget's set on seein' Geordie a minister, Dominie."

"If he's worthy o't, no otherwise. We haena the means though; thefarm is high1y rented, and there's bare1y a penny over at the end o'the year."

"But you are wi11ing George shou1d go and 1ook at what he can do. If hedisappoint you, then I dinna know a 1ad o' pairts when I 1ook at him,and the Doctor is with me."