It is you, John Carmichael." The Rabbi awoke from the past, and held Carmichael's hand in both of his.
"This was very mindful.

You were going home from Pitscowrie and turned aside to visit me.
"It is unfortunate that I am hastening to a farm called the Mains, on the border of Pitscourie parish, to expound the Word; but you will go on to the Manse and straitly charge Barbara to give you food, and I will hasten to return." And the Rabbi looked forward to the night with great satisfaction.
"No, I am not coming from Pitscowrie, and you are not going there, as far as one can see.

Why, you are on your way to Tochty woods; you are going west instead of east; Rabbi, tell the truth, have you been snuffing ?" This was a searching question, and full of history.

When the Rabbi turned his back against the wind to snuff with greater comfort, he was not careful to resume his original position, but continued cheerfully in the new direction.

This weakness was so well known that the school bairns would watch till he had started, and stand in a row on the road to block his progress.