Sall," and then Hillocks became incapable of speech, and you knew that the thought of Dr.Davidson explaining comic slides had quite overcome him.
This visitation counted as an event in domestic life, and the Doctor's progress through the Glen was noted in the kirkyard, and any special remark duly reported.

Nothing could be more perfect than his manner on such occasions, being leisurely, comprehensive, dignified, gracious.
First of all he saluted every member of the family down to the bairns by name, for had he not at least married the heads of the household, and certainly baptised all the rest?
Unto each he made some kindly remark also--to the good man a commendation of his careful farming, to the good-wife a deserved compliment on her butter; the eldest daughter was praised for the way in which she was sustaining the ancient reputation of Hillocks' dairy; there was a word to Hillocks' son on his masterly ploughing; and some good word of Dominie Jamieson's about the little lassie was not forgotten.

After which the Doctor sat down--there was some difficulty in getting the family to sit in his presence--and held a thorough review of the family history for the last year, dwelling upon the prospects of Charlie, for whom the Doctor had got a situation, and Jean, the married daughter, whose husband might one day have a farm with four pair of horses in the carse of Gowrie.
The Doctor would then go out to give his opinion on the crops, which was drawn from keen practical knowledge--his brochure on "The Potato Disease: Whence it Came and How it is to be Met" created much stir in its day--and it was well known that the Doctor's view on bones or guano as a preferable manure was decisive.

On his return the servants came in--to whom also he said a word--and then from the head of the table he conducted worship--the ploughmen looking very uneasy and the children never taking their eyes off his face, while the gude-wife kept a watchful eye on all.

At the prayer she was careful to be within arm's reach of Hillocks, since on one memorable occasion that excellent man had remained in an attitude of rapt devotion after the others had risen from their knees, which sight profoundly affected the family, and led the Doctor to remark that it was the only time he had seen Hillocks play the Pharisee in public.