time, and that if I held to that doctrine in (illegible text) poopit, it would na he lang till I would work (illegible text) change.—"I was mindit," quoth he," never (illegible text) set my foot within the kirk door while you we(illegible text) there; but to testify, and no to condemn ⟨without⟩ a trial, I'll be there next Lord's day, and egg n(illegible text) neighbours to be likewise, so ye'll no have (illegible text) preach just to the bare walls and the laird's family (illegible text)
I have now to speak of the coming of (illegible text) Malcolm. She was the widow of a Clyde sh(illegible text) master, that was lost at sea with his vessel. S(illegible text) was a genty body, calm and methodical. ⟨From⟩ morning to night she sat at her wheel ⟨spinning⟩ the finest lint, which suited well with her p(illegible text) hands. She never changed her widow's ⟨weeds⟩ and she was aye as if she had just been ta'en (illegible text) of a band-box. The tear was often in her (illegible text) when the bairns were at the school; but when ⟨they⟩ came home, her spirit was lighted up with gla(illegible text) ness, although, poor woman, she had many a ti(illegible text) very little to give them. They were, ⟨however,⟩ wonderful bred things, and took with ⟨thankfulness⟩ whatever she set before them, for they knew ⟨their⟩ their father, the breadwinner, was away, and ⟨that⟩ she had to work sore for their bit and drap. (illegible text) dare say, the only vexation that ever she had ⟨from⟩ any of them, on their own account, was wh(illegible text) Charlie, the eldest laddie, had won fourpence (illegible text) pitch and toss at the school, which he brought {{reconstruct|home}] with a proud heart to his mother. I happened (illegible text) be daunrin' bye at the time, and just looked in (illegible text) the door to say gude night: It was a sad ⟨sight.⟩ There was she sitting with tile silent tear on h(illegible text)
