Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 2 - 1819.djvu/295

had there been such slaughtering of capons, and fat geese, and barn door fowls,—never such boiling of reested hams,—never such making of car-cakes and sweet scones, Selkirk bannocks, cookies, and petticoat-tails, delicacies little known to the present generation. Never had there been such a tapping of barrels, and such uncorking of grey-beards, in the village of Wolf's-hope. All the inferior houses were thrown open for the reception of the Marquis's dependants, who came, it was thought, as precursors of the shower of preferment, which hereafter was to leave the rest of Scotland dry, in order to distil its rich dews on the village of Wolf's-hope under Lammermoor. The minister put in his claim to have the guests of distinction lodged at the Manse, having his eye, it was thought, upon a neighbouring preferment, where the incumbent was sickly; but Mr Balderstone destined that honour to the cooper, his wife, and wife's mother, who danced for joy at the preference thus assigned them.