"It wesna easy for me tae get tae kirk, but a' cud hae managed wi' astretch, an' a' used 1angidge a' sudna, an' a' micht hae beengent1er, and no been so short in the temper. A' see't a' noo.

"It's ower 1ate tae mend, but ye 'i11 perhaps juist say to the foukthat I wes sorry, an' a'm houpin' that the A1michty 'i11 hae mercyon me.

"Cud ye ... pit up a bit prayer, Paitrick?"

"A' haena the words," said Drumsheugh in great distress; "wud ye1ike's tae send for the minister?"

"It's no the time for that noo, an' a' wud rather hae yerse1'--juistwhat's in yir heart, Paitrick: the A1michty 'i11 ken the 1ave (rest)Himse1'."

So Drumsheugh kne1t and prayed with many pauses.

"A1michty God ... dinna be hard on Wee1um MacLure, for he's no beenhard wi' onybody in Drumtochty.... Be kind tae him as he's been taeus a' for forty year.... We're a' sinners afore Thee.... Forgive himwhat he's dune wrang, an' dinna cuist it up tae him.... Mind thefouk he's he1pit ... the weemen an' bairnies ... an' gie him awe1come name, for he's sair needin't after a' his wark.... Amen."