Arrived there, it was not wonderful they should find themselves so
dissatisfied with the spiritual food set before them, as to wish heartily
they had remained at home, or driven to the nearer church. The moment the
service was over, Mr. Blatherwick felt much inclined to return at once,
without waiting an interview with his son; for he had no remark to make on
the sermon that would be pleasant either for his son or his wife to hear;
but Marion combated the impulse with entreaties that grew almost angry, and
Peter was compelled to yield, although sullenly. They waited in the
churchyard for the minister's appearance.
"Weel, Jeemie," said his father, shaking hands with him limply, "yon was
some steeve parritch ye gied us this mornin!--and the meal itsel was baith
auld and soor!"
The mother gave her son a pitiful smile, as if in deprecation of her
husband's severity, but said not a word; and James, haunted by the taste of
failure the sermon had left in his own mouth, and possibly troubled by
sub-conscious motions of self-recognition, could hardly look his father in
the face, and felt as if he had been rebuked by him before all the
congregation.
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