Blatherwick for the acre or two their ancestors
had redeemed from the heather and bog, and gave, with their one son who
remained at home, occasional service on the farm. They were much respected
by the farmer and his wife, as well as the small circle to which they were
known in the neighbouring village--better known, and more respected still
in that kingdom called of heaven; for they were such as he to whom the
promise was given, that he should yet see the angels of God ascending and
descending on the Son of Man. They had long and heartily loved and honoured
the soutar, whom they had known before the death of his wife, and for his
sake and hers, both had always befriended the motherless Maggie. They
could not greatly pity her, seeing she had such a father, yet old Eppie
had her occasional moments of anxiety as to how the bairn would grow up
without a mother's care. No sooner, however, did the little one begin to
show character, than Eppie's doubt began to abate; and long before the time
to which my narrative has now come, the child and the child like old woman
were fast friends.
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