MacWheep had his own trials, but his ruler saw that he had sufficient food and some comfort, but Barbara laid herself out to make the Rabbi's life a misery.

He only obtained his meals as a favour, and an extra blanket had to be won by a week's abject humiliation.

Fire was only allowed him at times, and he secured oil for his lamp by stratagems.

Latterly he was glad to send strange ministers to Mains, and his boys alone forced lodgment in the manse.

The settlement of Barbara was the great calamity of the Rabbi's life, and was the doing of his own good nature.