[23] _Engraisser_, grow fat.
[24] Pall Mall Gazette.
[25] Here follows a long calculation of ways and means.
[26] Addison's.
[27] In reference to the father's estrangement at this time, Sir James
Dewar, an old friend of the elder Stevenson, tells a story which
would have touched R. L. S. infinitely had he heard it. Sir James
(then Professor) Dewar and Mr. Thomas Stevenson were engaged
together on some official scientific work near Duns in Berwickshire.
"Spending the evening together," writes Sir James, "at an hotel in
Berwick-on-Tweed, the two, after a long day's work, fell into close
fireside talk over their toddy, and Mr. Stevenson opened his heart
upon what was to him a very sore grievance. He spoke with anger and
dismay of his son's journey and intentions, his desertion of the old
firm, and taking to the devious and barren paths of literature. The
Professor took up the cudgels in the son's defence, and at last, by
way of ending the argument, half jocularly offered to wager that in
ten years from that moment R. L. S. would be earning a bigger income
than the old firm had ever commanded. To his surprise, the father
became furious, and repulsed all attempts at reconciliation. But six
and a half years later, Mr. Stevenson, broken in health, came to
London to seek medical advice, and although so feeble that he had to
be lifted out and into his cab, called at the Royal Institute to see
the Professor. He said: "I am here to consult a doctor, but I
couldna be in London without coming to shake your hand and confess
that you were richt after a' about Louis, and I was wrang." The
frail old frame shook with emotion, and he muttered, "I ken this is
my last visit to the south." A few weeks later he was dead.