Though he mixed freely with every body in the parish, he was neither haughty nor over-familiar with any one.

He had something of the minister's manner with inferiors--frank, gentle, and free--winning both trust and love, and yet it was impossible to take liberties with him.

And some of the elder people in the clachan declared the lad had at times just "the merry glint o' the minister's e'en" when Mr.Cardross first came to the parish as a young man with his young wife.
He was an old man now, "wearin' awa'," but slowly and peacefully; preaching still, though less regularly; for, to his great delight, his son Duncan, having come out creditably at college, had been appointed his assistant and successor.

Uncle Duncan--only twelve years his nephew's senior--was also appointed by Lord Cairnforth tutor to "Boy" Bruce.

The two were very good friends, and not unlike one another.
"Ay, he's just a Cardross," was the universal remark concerning young Bruce.