Page:Visits from the world of spirits (NLS104185233).pdf/9

9 poor animal, on the croudy being put down by the maid, fell a victim to his voracious appetite; for before the return of the family from church, it was enormously swelled, and expired in great agony.

The student enjoined the boy to remain quite passive for the present, meanwhile he attempted to show his ingenuity in resolving the cause of the canine catastrophe into insanity, in order to keep the girl in countenance, till a fit opportunity of discovering the plot should present itself.

Soon after his father, mother brothers, and sisters, with the other servants returned from church, all hungering after the word, and eager to sit down round the rustic hoard.

The table was instantly replenished with wooden bowls and trenchers, while a heap of barley bannocks graced the top. The kail or broth, infused with leeks or winter cabbages, was poured forth in plenty; Peggy with a prodigal hand, filled all the dishes with the homely dainties of Tiviotdale. The master began grace, and all hats and bonnets were instantly off; 'O Lord,' prayed the farmer, 'we have been hearing thy word from the mouth of thy aged servant, Mr Ramsay; we have been alarmed by the awful famine in Samaria, and of death being in the pot.' Here the young scholar interrupted his father, by exclaiming---'Yes, sir, there is death in the pot now here, as well as there was