He was very significant among his people, very important in their lives but not, somehow, at any expense to his private self.

He knew them, but they did not know him; and it is high praise of him that this was no grievance among them.

They would tell you without resentment that the minister was a "very reserved" man; there might be even a touch of proper pride in it.

The worshippers of Knox Church mission were rather a reserved lot themselves.

It was different with the Methodists; plenty of expansion there.
Elgin, therefore, knew nothing, beyond the fact that Dr Drummond had two ladies from the old country staying with him, about whom particular curiosity would hardly be expected outside of Knox Church.