"Comin' in at the door lookin' as if he didna ken there wes a body in the kirk, a' aye coontit best," but his friend has another preference.

"It wes fine, but, man, tae see him set the bukes doon on the pulpit cushion, and then juist gie ae glisk roond the kirk as much as tae say, 'What think ye o' that ?' cowed a' thing." It has been given to myself amid other privileges to see (and store in a fond memory) the walk of a University mace-bearer, a piper at the Highland gathering, a German stationmaster (after the war), and an alderman (of the old school), but it is bare justice to admit, although I am not of Drumtochty, but only as a proselyte of the gate, that none of those efforts is at all to be compared with John's achievement.

Within the manse the Doctor was waiting in pulpit array, grasping his father's snuff-box in a firm right hand, and it was understood that, none seeing them, and as a preparation for the strain that would immediately be upon them, both the minister and his man relaxed for a minute.
"Is there a respectable attendance, John ?" and the Doctor would take a preliminary pinch.

"Drumsheugh does not expect many absentees." "Naebody 's missin' that a' cud see, sir, except that ill gettit wratch, Tammie Ronaldson, and a' coont him past redemption.

A' gaed in as a' cam doon, and gin he wesna lyin' in his bed sleepin' an' snorin' like a heathen." "Well, John, did you do your duty as an officer of the church ?" "A' stood ower him, Doctor, an' a' juist said tae masel', 'Shall a' smite wi' the sword ?' but a' left him alane for this time." And so they started--John in front with the books, and the Doctor a pace behind, his box now in the left hand, with a handkerchief added, and the other holding up his gown, both dignitaries bare-headed, unself-conscious, absorbed in their office.
The books were carried level with the top button of John's waistcoat--the Psalm-book being held in its place by the two extended thumbs--and neither were allowed to depart from the absolute horizontal by an eighth of an inch, even going up the pulpit stairs.