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This in me was an advised thought； for； by the return of post； his lordship with his own hand； in a most kind manner； authorized me to say that he would build a new school at his own cost； and bade me go over and consult about it with his steward at the castle； to whom he had written by the same post the necessary instructions。 Nothing could exceed the gladness which the news gave to the whole parish； and none said more in behalf of his lordship's bounty and liberality than the heritors； especially those gentry who grudged the undertaking； when it was thought that it would have to come out of their own pock…nook。
In the course of the summer； just as the roof was closing in of the school…house； my lord came to the castle with a great company； and was not there a day till he sent for me to come over； on the next Sunday； to dine with him； but I sent him word that I could not do so； for it would be a transgression of the Sabbath； which made him send his own gentleman； to make his apology for having taken so great a liberty with me； and to beg me to come on the Monday； which I accordingly did； and nothing could be better than the discretion with which I was used。 There was a vast company of English ladies and gentlemen； and his lordship； in a most jocose manner； told them all how he had fallen on the midden； and how I had clad him in my clothes； and there was a wonder of laughing and diversion； but the most particular thing in the company； was a large； round…faced man； with a wig； that was a dignitary in some great Episcopalian church in London； who was extraordinary condescending towards me； drinking wine with me at the table； and saying weighty sentences； in a fine style of language； about the becoming grace of simplicity and innocence of heart； in the clergy of all denominations of Christians； which I was pleased to hear； for really he had a proud red countenance； and I could not have thought he was so mortified to humility within； had I not heard with what sincerity he delivered himself； and seen how much reverence and attention was paid to him by all present； particularly by my lord's chaplain； who was a pious and pleasant young divine； though educated at Oxford for the Episcopalian persuasion。
One day； soon after； as I was sitting in my closet conning a sermon for the next Sunday； I was surprised by a visit from the dean； as the dignitary was called。 He had come； he said； to wait on me as rector of the parishfor so； it seems； they call a pastor in Englandand to say； that； if it was agreeable； he would take a family dinner with us before he left the castle。 I could make no objection to this kindness； but said I hoped my lord would come with him； and that we would do our best to entertain them with all suitable hospitality。 About an hour or so after he had returned to the castle； one of the flunkeys brought a letter from his lordship； to say； that not only he would come with the dean； but that they would bring his other guests with them； and that； as they could only drink London wine； the butler would send me a hamper in the morning； assured； as he was pleased to say； that Mrs Balwhidder would otherwise provide good cheer。
This notification； however； was a great trouble to my wife； who was only used to manufacture the produce of our glebe and yard to a profitable purpose； and not used to the treatment of deans and lords； and other persons of quality。 However； she was determined to stretch a point on this occasion； and we had； as all present declared； a charming dinner； for fortunately one of the sows had a litter of pigs a few days before； and in addition to a goose； that is but a boss bird； we had a roasted pig with an apple in its mouth； which was just a curiosity to see； and my lord called it a tithe pig； but I told him it was one of Mrs Balwhidder's own clecking； which saying of mine made no little sport when expounded to the dean。
But； och how！ this was the last happy summer that we had for many a year in the parish； and an omen of the dule that ensued； was in a sacrilegious theft that a daft woman； Jenny Gaffaw； and her idiot daughter； did in the kirk； by tearing off and stealing the green serge lining of my lord's pew； to make； as they said； a hap for their shoulders in the cold weathersaving； however； the sin； we paid no attention at the time to the mischief and tribulation that so unheard…of a trespass boded to us all。 It took place about Yule； when the weather was cold and frosty； and poor Jenny was not very able to go about seeking her meat as usual。 The deed； however； was mainly done by her daughter； who； when brought before me； said； 〃her poor mother's back had mair need of claes than the kirk…boards；〃 which was so true a thing； that I could not punish her； but wrote anent it to my lord； who not only overlooked the offence； but sent orders to the servants at the castle to be kind to the poor woman； and the natural； her daughter。
CHAPTER XV YEAR 1774
When I look back on this year； and compare what happened therein with the things that had gone before； I am grieved to the heart； and pressed down with an afflicted spirit。 We had； as may be read； trials and tribulations in the days that were past； and in the rank and boisterous times of the smuggling there was much sin and blemish among us； but nothing so dark and awful as what fell out in the course of this unhappy year。 The evil omen of daft Jenny Gaffaw and her daughter's sacrilege； had soon a bloody verification。
About the beginning of the month of March in this year； the war in America was kindling so fast that the government was obligated to send soldiers over the sea； in the hope to quell the rebellious temper of the plantations； and a party of a regiment that was quartered at Ayr was ordered to march to Greenock； to be there shipped off。 The men were wild and wicked profligates； without the fear of the Lord before their eyes； and some of them had drawn up with light women in Ayr； who followed them on their march。 This the soldiers did not like； not wishing to be troubled with such gear in America； so the women； when they got the length of Kilmarnock； were ordered to retreat and go home； which they all did but one Jean Glaikit； who persisted in her intent to follow her joe； Patrick O'Neil； a Catholic Irish corporal。 The man did； as he said； all in his capacity to persuade her to return； but she was a contumacious limmer； and would not listen to reason； so that； in passing along our toll…road； from less to more； the miserable wretches fell out； and fought； and the soldier put an end to her with a hasty knock on the head with his firelock； and marched on after his comrades。
The body of the woman was； about half an hour after； found by the scholars of Mr Lorimore's school； who had got the play to see the marching； and to hear the drums of the soldiers。 Dreadful was the shout and the cry throughout the parish at this foul work。 Some of the farmer lads followed the soldiers on horseback； and others ran to Sir Hugh； who was a justice of the peace； for his advice。Such a day as that was！
However； the murderer was taken； and； with his arms tied behind him with a cord； he was brought back to the parish； where he confessed before Sir Hugh the deed； and how it happened。 He was then put in a cart； and； being well guarded by six of the lads； was taken to Ayr jail。
It was not long after this that the murderer was brought to trial； and； being found guilty on his own confession； he was sentenced to be executed； and his body to be hung in chains near the spot where the deed was done。 I thought that all in the parish would have run to desperation with horror when the news of this came； and I wrote immediately to the Lord Eaglesham to get this done away by the merciful power of the government； which he did； to our great solace and relief。
In the autumn； the young Laird Macadam； being ordered with his regiment for the Americas； got leave from the king to come and see his lady mother； before his departure。 But it was not to see her only； as will presently appear。
Knowing how much her ladyship was averse to the notion he had of Kate Malcolm； he did not write of his coming； lest she would send Kate out of the way； but came in upon them at a late hour； as they were wasting their precious time； as was the nightly wont of my lady； with a pack of cards； and so far was she from being pleased to see him； that no sooner did she behold his face； but； like a tap of tow； she kindled upon both him and Kate； and ordered them out of her sight and house。 The young folk had discretion： Kate went home to her mother； and the laird came to the manse； and begged us to take him in。 He then told me what had happened； and that； having bought a captain's commission； he was resolved to marry Kate； and hoped I would perform the ceremony； if her mother would consent。 〃As for mine；〃 said he； 〃she will never agree； but； when the thing is done； her pardon will not be difficult to get； for； with all her whims and caprice； she is generous and affectionate。〃 In short； he so wiled and beguiled me； that I consented to marry them； if Mrs Malcolm was agreeable。 〃I will not disobey my mother；〃 said he； 〃by asking her consent； which I know she will refuse； and； the