When the Leddy returned from the Court to Grippy, Walter, who had in
the meantime been somehow informed of the nature of the proceedings
instituted against him, said to his mother,--
‘Weel, mother, so ye hae been trying to mak me daft? but I’m just as
wise as ever.’
‘Thou’s ordaint to bring disgrace on us a’,’ was her answer, dictated
under a feeling of vague apprehension, arising from the uncertainty
which seemed to lower upon the issue of the process by the evidence of
Dr. Denholm.
‘I’m sure I hae nae hand in’t,’ said Walter; ‘an ye had na meddlet wi’
me, I would ne’er hae spoken to Keelevin, to vex you. But I suppose,
mother, that you and that wily headcadab Geordie hae made naething o’
your fause witnessing.’
‘Haud thy fool tongue, and insult na me,’ exclaimed the Leddy in a rage
at the simpleton’s insinuation, which was uttered without the slightest
sentiment of reproach. ‘But,’ she added, ‘ye’ll see what it is to stand
wi’ a het face afore the Court the morn.’
‘I’ll no gang,’ replied Walter; ‘I hae nae broo o’ Courts and
law-pleas.’
‘But ye shall gang, if the life be in your body.’
‘I’ll do nothing but what Mr. Keelevin bids me.’
‘Mr. Keelevin,’ exclaimed the Leddy, ‘ought to be drum’t out o’ the
town for bringing sic trebalation intil my family.--What business had
he, wi’ his controversies, to gumle law and justice in the manner he
has done the day?’ And while she was thus speaking, George and Mr.
Pitwinnoch made their appearance.
‘Hegh man, Geordie!’ said Watty,--‘I’m thinking, instead o’ making me
daft, ye hae demented my mother, poor bodie; for she’s come hame wi’ a
flyte proceeding out of her mouth like a two-edged sword.’
‘If you were not worse than ye are,’ said his brother, ‘you would have
compassion on your mother’s feelings.’
‘I’m sure,’ said Watty, ‘I hae every compassion for her; but there was
nae need o’ her to wis to mak me daft. It’s a foul bird that files its
ain nest; and really, to speak my mind, I think, Geordie, that you and
her were na wise, but far left to yoursels, to put your heads intil the
hangman’s halter o’ a law-plea anent my intellectuals.’
Gabriel Pitwinnoch, who began to distrust the effect of the evidence,
was troubled not a little at this observation; for he thought, if
Walter spoke as well to the point before the Court, the cause must be
abandoned. As for George, he was scarcely in a state to think of any
thing, so much was he confounded and vexed by the impression of Dr.
Denholm’s evidence, the tenor of which was so decidedly at variance
with all he had flattered himself it would be. He, however, said,--
‘Ye’re to be examined to-morrow, and what will you say for yourself?’
‘I hae mair modesty,’ replied Walter, ‘than to be my ain
trumpeter--I’ll say naething but what Mr. Keelevin bids me.’
Gabriel smiled encouragingly to George at this, who continued,--
‘You had better tak care what ye say.’
‘Na,’ cried Watty, ‘an that’s the gait o’t, I’ll keep a calm
sough--least said’s soonest mendit--I’ll haud my tongue.’
‘But you must answer every question.’
‘Is’t in the Shorter or the Larger Catechism?’ said Walter. ‘I can
say till the third petition o’ the t’ane, and frae end to end o’ the
t’ither.’
‘That’s quite enough,’ replied Gabriel, ‘and more than will be required
of you.’
But the satisfaction which such an agreeable exposure of the innocency
of the simpleton was calculated to afford to all present, was disturbed
at this juncture by the entrance of Mr. Keelevin.
‘I’m glad, gentlemen,’ said he, the moment he came in, ‘that I
have found you here. I think you must all be convinced that the
investigation should na gang further. I’m sure Mr. Walter will be
willing to grant a reasonable consideration to his mother for her care
and trouble in the house, and even to assign a moitie o’ his income to
you, Mr. George. Be counselled by me:--let us settle the matter in that
manner quietly.’
Pitwinnoch winked to his client,--and Wattie said,--
‘What for should I gie my mother ony more? Has na she bed, board, and
washing, house-room and chattels, a’ clear aboon her jointure? and
I’m sure Geordie has nae lawful claim on me for ony aliment.--Od, Mr.
Keelevin, it would be a terrible wastrie o’ me to do the like o’ that.
They might weel mak me daft if I did sae.’
‘But it will be far decenter and better for a’ parties to enter into
some agreement of that sort. Don’t you think so, Mrs. Walkinshaw,
rather than to go on with this harsh business of proving your son an
idiot?’
‘I’m no an idiot, Mr. Keelevin,’ exclaimed Walter--‘though it seems to
me that there’s a thraw in the judgement o’ the family, or my mother
and brother would ne’er hae raised this stramash about my capacity to
take care o’ the property. Did na I keep the cows frae the corn a’ the
last Ruglen fair-day, when Jock, the herd, got leave to gang in to try
his luck and fortune at the roley-poleys?’
Honest Mr. Keelevin wrung his hands at this.
‘I’m sure, sir,’ said George, in his sleekest manner, ‘that you must
yourself, Mr. Keelevin, be quite sensible that the inquiry ought to
proceed to a verdict.’
‘I’m sensible o’ nae sic things, Mr. George,’ was the indignant answer.
‘Your brother is in as full possession of all his faculties as when
your father executed the cursed entail, or when he was married to
Kilmarkeckle’s dochter.’
‘’Deed, Mr. Keelevin,’ replied Walter, ‘ye’re mista’en there; for I hae
had twa teeth tuggit out for the toothache since syne; and I hae grown
deaf in the left lug.’
‘Did na I tell you,’ said the worthy man, angrily, ‘that ye were na to
open your mouth?’
‘Really, Mr. Keelevin, I won’er to hear you,’ replied the natural, with
great sincerity; ‘the mouth’s the only trance-door that I ken to the
belly.’
‘Weel, weel,’ again exclaimed his friend; ‘mak a kirk and a mill o’t;
but be ruled by me, and let us draw up a reasonable agreement.’
‘I’m thinking, Mr. Keelevin, that ye dinna ken that I hae made a
paction with mysel to sign nae law-papers, for fear it be to the injury
of Betty Bodle.’
‘Betty Bodle!’ said Gabriel Pitwinnoch, eagerly; ‘she has been long
dead.’
‘Ah!’ said Walter, ‘that’s a’ ye ken about it. She’s baith living and
life-like.’
Mr. Keelevin was startled and alarmed at this; but abstained from
saying any thing. Gabriel also said nothing; but looked significantly
to his client, who interposed, and put an end to the conversation.
‘Having gone so far,’ said he, ‘I could, with no respect for my own
character, allow the proceedings to be now arrested. It is, therefore,
unnecessary either to consider your suggestion, or to hold any further
debate here on the subject.’
Mr. Keelevin made no reply to this; but said, as he had something to
communicate in private to his client, he would carry him to Glasgow
for that night. To so reasonable and so professional a proposal no
objection was made. Walter himself also at once acquiesced, on the
express condition, that he was not to be obliged to sign any law-papers.