Part 51 (1/2)
The rusty door of Whamond's heart swung to.
”Who broke down?” he asked fiercely. ”Let no member of this Session dare to break down till his work be done.”
”What work?” Tosh said uneasily. ”We canna interfere.”
”I would rather resign,” Spens said, but shook when Whamond hurled these words at him:
”'And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of G.o.d.'”
”It mayna be true,” Hendry said eagerly.
”We'll soon see.”
”He would gie her up,” said Tosh.
”Peter Tosh,” answered Whamond sternly, ”I call upon you to dismiss the congregation.”
”Should we no rather haud the meeting oursel's?”
”We have other work afore us,” replied the precentor.
”But what can I say?” Tosh asked nervously. ”Should I offer up a prayer?”
”I warn you all,” broke in Hendry, ”that though the congregation is sitting there quietly, they'll be tigers for the meaning o' this as soon as they're in the street.”
”Let no ontruth be telled them,” said the precentor. ”Peter Tosh, do your duty. John Spens, remain wi' me.”
The church emptied silently, but a buzz of excitement arose outside.
Many persons tried to enter the vestry, but were ordered away, and when Tosh joined his fellow-elders the people were collecting in animated groups in the square, or scattering through the wynds for news.
”And now,” said the precentor, ”I call upon the three o' you to come wi' me. Hendry Munn, you gang first.”
”I maun bide ahint,” Hendry said, with a sudden fear, ”to lock up the kirk.”
”I'll lock up the kirk,” Whamond answered harshly.
”You maun gie me the keys, though,” entreated the kirk officer.
”I'll take care o' the keys,” said Whamond.
”I maun hae them,” Hendry said, ”to open the kirk on Sabbath.”
The precentor locked the doors, and b.u.t.toned up the keys in his trousers pockets.
”Wha kens,” he said, in a voice of steel, ”that the kirk'll be open next Sabbath?”
”Hae some mercy on him, Tammas,” Spens implored. ”He's no twa-and-twenty.”