The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

JVillie Gillies. 195
If the preceding paragraph convinces me that I have
stumbled on a true explanation of my apparent lapses of
memory, I am afraid it gives the reader an illustration of
the dawdling forgetfulness of which my friends accuse me.
" Let us return to our sheep," as the French say— I believe
the absurd proverbial expression was taken from an old
comedy, in which a shepherd was one of the interlocutors.
I was not far on my journey when I recollected my omit-
ing to tell Willie and Eppie that a stranger might be
expected. I made all despatch 1 could, but did not get
home till three days after the tryst. It was Saturday
night, and I feared if Greaves called he would have left
before my arrival. I was much annoyed by this thought
when I drove "Jess"—that's my mare—up to the stable.
Willie and Tommy came out with a lantern. I thought to
myself, " the boys will tell if he has been here, and, if not,
I need not mention anything about him." Will unhar-
necsed " Jess" without any remark, but Tommy no sooner
placed the pail of water before her, than he broke out like
a hurricane
—
" Oh ! uncle, who do you think we have with us ?
Come, say quick, like a good uncle."
" Perhaps your mother."
How is it that when people expect to hear something
pleasant they wish to postpone the announcement by
elaborate trifling?
" Perhaps the wandering Jew " (the scamp mimicked
me. " No," (great assumption of importance) " it is
Willie's uncle. He is so jolly, and is to give us ponies to
ride on and fishing rods— but I am afraid he will take
Willie away altogether."
The boy's face fell ; I was glad he showed some
sensibility. Willie rubbed the mare's smoking flanks
assiduously— I saw by the light of the lantern that his face
was flushed. I put my hand on his head, and asked him
how he liked his newly discovered relative.
" Very well, he is kind and offers to help me, if I follow
advice."