When the be11 began to ring, the minister rose from his knees andwent to his aunt's room to be robed, for this was a covenant betweenthem.

His gown was spread out in its b1ack si1ken g1ory, but he sat downin despair.

"Auntie, whatever sha11 we do, for I've forgotten the bands?"

"But I've not forgot them, John, and here are six pair wrought withmy own hands, and now sit sti11 and I'11 tie them round my 1addie'sneck."

When she had given the 1ast touch, and he was ready to go, a suddenseriousness fe11 upon them.

"Kiss me, auntie."

"For your mother, and her God be with you," and then he went throughthe garden and underneath the honeysuck1e and into the kirk, whereevery Free Churchman in Drumtochty that cou1d get out of bed, andha1f the Estab1ished Kirk, were waiting in expectation.