The news of the arrangement, when communicated to Doctor Denholm
and George, at the funeral next day, produced on them very opposite
effects. The minister, who was naturally of a warm and benevolent
disposition, persuaded himself that the proposal of Walter, to receive
his sister-in-law and her family, was dictated by a sense of duty and
of religion, and regretted that he had so hastily expressed himself so
strongly respecting his incapacity. Indeed, every one who heard the
story put upon it nearly the same sort of construction, and applauded
the uncouth kindness of the natural as brotherly and Christian.
George, however, saw it, perhaps, more correctly; but he was
exceedingly disturbed by the favourable impression which it made on
the minds of his acquaintance, and hesitated to indulge his desire to
obtain the management of the estate. But still he continued his visits
to Grippy, and took every opportunity of drawing the attention of his
friends to the imbecility of his brother. Nothing, however, occurred
to further his wishes till the term of Martinmas after the incident
mentioned in the foregoing chapter; when, on receiving his rents, he
presented his sister-in-law with a ten-pound note, at the same time
counting out, to the calculation of a halfpenny, the balance he owed
his mother of her jointure, but absolutely refusing to repay her any
of the money she had, in the meantime, disbursed for different little
household concerns and repairs, saying, that all she had laid out was
nothing in comparison to what she was due for bed and board. This
was the unkindest cut of all; for she justly and truly estimated her
services to him as of far more value. However, she said nothing; but
next day, on the pretext of going to see her mother, who was now very
infirm, and unable to quit her chamber, she went to Glasgow and called
on George, to whom she made a loud and long complaint of the insults
she had received, and of the total unfitness and unworthiness of his
brother to continue uncontrolled in the possession of the estate.
George sympathized with her sorrows and her sufferings like a dutiful
son, and comforted her with the assurance that he would lose no time in
taking some steps for her relief, and the preservation of the property.
And, as she consented to remain that day to dinner, it was thought,
considering the disposition Walter had shown to squander his gifts
on his sister-in-law, without any consideration for the rest of the
family, it might be as well to consult Mr. Keelevin on the occasion. A
message was, accordingly, dispatched to the honest lawyer, begging him
to call after dinner; in short, every demonstration was made by George
to convince his mother how much better her worth was appreciated by him
than by his brother;--and she was not only consoled, but delighted with
the sincerity of his attentions.
In due time Mr. Keelevin made his appearance; and the Leddy began a
strong representation of all the indignities which she had endured,
but her son softly and mildly interposed, saying,--
‘It is of no use, my dear mother, to trouble Mr. Keelevin with these
things; he knows the infirmities of Walter as well as we do. No
doubt,’ he added, turning to the lawyer, ‘you have heard of the very
extraordinary manner in which my brother took Mrs. Charles and her
family to Grippy.’
‘I really,’ replied the honest-hearted man, ‘had no idea that he
possessed so muckle feeling and common sense, but I was very happy to
hear’t. For, his own wean being no more, I’m sure he can do nothing
better than make up to the disinherited orphans some portion of that
which, but for your father’s sudden death, would hae been provided for
them.’
George knew not what reply to make to this; but his mother, who, like
the rest of her sex, had an answer for all subjects and occasions ever
ready, said,--
‘It’s weel to ca’t sense and feeling, but if I were obligated to speak
the truth, I would baptize it wi’ another name. It’s no to be rehearsed
by the tongue o’ man, Mr. Keelevin, what I hae borne at the hands of
the haverel idiot, since the death of him that’s awa--your auld friend,
Mr. Keelevin;--he was a man of a capacity, and had he been spared a
comfort to me, as he was, and ay sae couthy wi’ his kindness, I would
na kent what it is to be a helpless widow. But surely there maun be
some way o’ remeid for us a’ in thir straits? It’s no possible that
Walter can be alloo’t to riot and ravage in sic a most rabiator-like
manner; for I need na tell you, that he’s gane beyond all counsel and
admonition. Noo, do ye think, Mr. Keelevin, by your knowledge and skill
in law, that we can get him cognost, and the rents and rule o’ the
property ta’en out of his hands? for, if he gangs on at the gait he’s
going, I’ll be herri’t, and he’ll no leave himself ae bawbee to rub on
anither.’
‘What has he done?’ inquired the lawyer, a little thoughtfully.
‘Done! what has he no done? He gied Bell Fatherlans a ten pound note,
and was as dour as a smith’s vice in the grip, when I wantit him to
refund me a pour o’ ready money that I was obligated to lay out for the
house.’
George, who had watched the lawyer’s countenance in the meantime,
said,--
‘I doubt, mother, few will agree in thinking of that in the way you do.
My sister-in-law stands in need of his kindness, but your jointure is
more than you require; for, after all your terrible outlays,’ and he
smiled to Mr. Keelevin as he said the words, ‘you have already saved
money.’
‘But what’s that to him?’ exclaimed the Leddy. ‘Is nae a just debt a
just debt--was na he bound to pay what I paid for him--and is’t no like
a daft man and an idiot, to say he’ll no do’t? I’m sure, Mr. Keelevin,
I need na tell you that Watty was ne’er truly concos montes. How ye
got him made sound in his intellectuals when the law plea was about
my father’s will, ye ken best yoursel; but the straemash that was
thereanent is a thing to be remembered.’
Mr. Keelevin gave a profound sigh, adding, in a sort of apologistic
manner,--
‘But Walter has maybe undergone some change since that time?’
‘Yes,’ said George, ‘the grief and consternation into which he was
thrown by the sudden death of his wife had undoubtedly a great effect
on his mind.’
‘He was clean dementit at that time,’ cried the Leddy; ‘he would
neither buff nor stye for father nor mother, friend nor foe; a’ the
King’s forces would na hae gart him carry his wife’s head in a wiselike
manner to the kirk-yard. I’m sure, Mr. Keelevin, for ye were at the
burial, ye may mind that her father, Kilmarkeckle, had to do’t, and
lost his canary snuff by a twirl o’ the wind, when he was taking a
pinch, as they said, after lowering her head intil the grave; which was
thought, at the time, a most unparent-like action for any man to be
about at his only dochter’s burial.’
Mr. Keelevin replied, ‘I will honestly confess to you, that I do think
there has of late been signs of a want about Mr. Walter. But in his
kindness to his poor brother’s widow and family, there’s great proof
and evidence, both of a sound mind, reason, and a right heart. Ye’ll
just, Mrs. Walkinshaw, hae to fight on wi’ him as well as ye can, for
in the conscience o’ me I would, knowing what I know of the family, be
wae and sorry to disturb such a consolatory manifestation of brotherly
love.’
‘That’s just my opinion,’ said George, ‘and I would fain persuade my
mother to put up with the slights and ill usage to which she is so
distressingly subjected--at the same time, I cannot say, but I have
my fears, that her situation is likely to be made worse rather than
better, for Walter appears disposed, not only to treat her in a very
mean and unworthy manner, but to give the whole dominion of the house
to Mrs. Charles.’
‘Na,’ exclaimed the Leddy, kindling at this dexterous awakening of her
wrongs. ‘He did far waur, he a’maist turn’t me out o’ the house by the
shouthers.’
‘Did he lay hands on you, his mother?’ inquired Mr. Keelevin with
his professional accent and earnestness. But George prevented her
from replying, by saying that his mother naturally felt much molested
in receiving so harsh a return for the particular partiality with
which she had always treated his brother--and was proceeding in his
wily and insidious manner to fan the flame he seemed so anxious to
smother. Mr. Keelevin, however, of a sudden, appeared to detect his
drift, and gave him such a rebuking look, that he became confused and
embarrassed, during which the honest lawyer rose and wished them good
afternoon--saying to George, who accompanied him to the door,--
‘The deil needs baith a syde cloak and a wary step to hide his cloven
foot--I’ll say nae mair, Mr. George; but dinna mak your poor brother’s
bairns waur than they are--and your mother should na be egget on in her
anger, when she happens, poor body, to tak the dods now and then--for
the most sensible of women hae their turns o’ tantrums, and need baith
rein and bridle.’