's the wy he wes made, an' his father keepit a pig (china)
shop, but at ony rate he micht get a wise-like stick.

"Noo, there wes the Doctor 'at's dead an' gone; he didna gang
scrammelin' an' huntin' aifter the fouk frae Monday tae Saiturday. Na,
na, he didna lower himsel' preachin' an' paiterin' like a missionary
body. He announced frae the pulpit whar he wes gaein' and when he wes
comin'.

"'It's my purpose,'" and Hillocks did his best to imitate the Doctor,
"'to visit the farm of Hillocks on Wednesday of this week, and I desire
to meet with all persons living thereon;' it wes worth callin' an
intimation, an' gied ye pleesure in yir seat.

"On Tuesday aifternoon John wud juist drap in tae see that a'thing wes
ready, and the next aifternoon the Doctor comes himsel', an' the first
thing he dis is tae lay the stick on the table an' gin he hed never
said a word, tae see it lyin' there wes a veesitation. But he 's a
weel-meanin' bit craturie, Maister Peebles, an' handy wi' a magic
lantern. Sall," and then Hillocks became incapable of speech, and you
knew that the thought of Dr. Davidson explaining comic slides had quite
overcome him.

This visitation counted as an event in domestic life, and the Doctor's
progress through the Glen was noted in the kirkyard, and any special
remark duly reported. Nothing could be more perfect than his manner on
such occasions, being leisurely, comprehensive, dignified, gracious.
First of all he saluted every member of the family down to the bairns
by name, for had he not at least married the heads of the household,
and certainly baptised all the rest? Unto each he made some kindly
remark also--to the good man a commendation of his careful farming, to
the good-wife a deserved compliment on her butter; the eldest daughter
was praised for the way in which she was sustaining the ancient
reputation of Hillocks' dairy; there was a word to Hillocks' son on his
masterly ploughing; and some good word of Dominie Jamieson's about the
little lassie was not forgotten. After which the Doctor sat
down--there was some difficulty in getting the family to sit in his
presence--and held a thorough review of the family history for the last
year, dwelling upon the prospects of Charlie, for whom the Doctor had
got a situation, and Jean, the married daughter, whose husband might
one day have a farm with four pair of horses in the carse of Gowrie.
The Doctor would then go out to give his opinion on the cro