Lloyd's sloop, esteemed it a great privilege to be the bearers of parcels or messages to my new mistress; for whenever they came, they were sure of a most kind and pleasant reception.

If little Thomas was her son, and her most dearly beloved child, she, for a time, at least, made me something like his half-brother in her affections.

If dear Tommy was exalted to a place on his mother's knee, "Feddy" was honored by a place at his mother's side.

Nor did he lack the caressing strokes of her gentle hand, to convince him that, though _motherless_, he was not _friendless_.

Mrs.Auld{112} was not only a kind-hearted woman, but she was remarkably pious; frequent in her attendance of public worship, much given to reading the bible, and to chanting hymns of praise, when alone.