a duty to your family in staying here. We can arrange
matters without any difficulty. I must have a few minutes' private
talk with your mother on religious matters which concern herself and no
one else. Just leave me with her for a bit and you can come back and
stay here as long as I do."

But Adam was obstinate. He acknowledged that the others "wouldna' be
pleased" should he relinquish his post of watch-dog. He must "bide" in
the room as long as the priest remained.

As in many houses of that class, there was what is called a
"bed-closet" opening out of the room in which the sick woman lay. It
was literally a closet, containing nothing except the bed, and lighted
by a tiny window. Without more ado, Mr. McGillivray seized the man by
the arm and led him to the closet.

"Just jump onto the bed," he whispered. "No one will know that you
have not remained in the room. You shall come out in a few minutes."

So the burly Adam climbed onto the bed, and the priest shut the door
upon his prisoner and fastened the "sneck." After hearing the mother's
Confession, he released his captive, and Adam stood by while the saving
unction was administered to prepare the poor woman for her last
journey. It was soon over and the priest took his leave.

Adam was quite relieved to find that his mother had been gladdened by
the priest's ministrations--for she had poured forth grateful thanks
for his kindness--while he had not been compromised in the eyes of his
brothers and sisters. He willingly consented for Mr. McGillivray to
return next day to administer Holy Communion for the first--and
probably the last--time in the life of the dying woman.

"I've only one more office to do for your mother, Adam," the priest had
explained, "and then she will be quite at rest. So I will call
to-morrow about this time." And Adam had cordially agreed.

But there were others to be reckoned with. The news of the priest's
visit was soon carried to the Free Church minister, and down he swooped
upon the luckless Fordyces that very afternoon. Poor Adam was the
scapegoat. He it was who had to bear the whole of the blame. The
minister congratulated himself, when he took his leave (without
venturing into the sick-room, for the present), that he had
successfully prevented any further "popish antics" in that house!

Consequently, when Mr. McGillivray returned next day, according to
promise, he was met, not by Adam, but by the younger son--a dour