aken countenance, and politely intimated
to the Rector that a magistrate of Muirtown had come and desired to
speak to the school. Before the Rector could fairly withdraw himself
from a cunning phrase of Horace's, or the school had energy to cheer,
the wonderful Bailie was launched into the room with almost too much
vigour by the cabman, who remained in the shadow and whispered a last
direction to "hold up your head and keep to the right." They had
forgotten--Speug's only oversight--to take off the Bailie's hat, which
was set jauntily on the side of his head, and the course which he took
through the room was devious, and mainly regulated by the furniture,
while his expression was a fine blend of affable dignity and genial good
humour. "Gosh!" exclaimed Bauldie, and he liberated the feeling of the
class, who understood that their enemy had been delivered into their
hands, and that Peter McGuffie--their own Speug--had been the means
thereof. Yet could it be the case? Yes! It was the very countenance,
line by line, and the very clothes, piece by piece, though looking a
trifle shabby, of the premier Bailie of Muirtown, and it was evident
that he had been "tasting," and that very freely.

"I am--er--proud to bid you welcome, Mr. Bailie," said the Rector,
bowing with old-fashioned courtesy, and not having the faintest idea
what like was the figure before him. "We are always delighted to receive
a visit from any of the magistrates of the city, who are to our humble
school" (and here the Rector was very gracious) "what Maecenas was to
Horace, whose _curiosa felicitas_ we are now studying. Is it your
pleasure, Mr. Bailie, to examine the school?"

During this stately reception the Bailie came to rest upon a desk, and
regarded the Rector's flowing gown with unconcealed admiration, which he
indicated to the school by frank gestures.

"It would be a great satisfaction to hear the laddies answer 'The Chief
End of Man,' and to say juist a word to them aboot good conduct; but you
and me has an engagement, and ye ken where we're expected. I juist
looked in to say----" And here the worthy man's thoughts began to
wander, and he made an indistinct allusion to the _Black Bull_, so that
Speug had to prompt him severely from behind. "Aye, aye! we're all poor,
frail creatures, and I'm the last man to hurt the feelings of the
Seminary. Seminary laddie mysel', prize medal Greek. Bygones be
bygones!... No man in Muirtown I respect more than ...