The Auld Licht minister, it was said, had been approached on the subject; but, after serious consideration, did not see his way to offering up a prayer.

Finally old Hobart and two others tied a rope round the body, and dragged it from the farm to the cairn, a distance of four miles.

Instead of this incident's humbling Tilliedrum into attending church, the next Fast Day saw its streets deserted.

As for the Thrums Auld Lichts, only heavy wobs prevented their walking erect like men who had done their duty.

If no prayer was volunteered for Pitlums before his burial, there was a great deal of psalm-singing after it.
By early morn on their Fast Day the Tilliedrummers were straggling into Thrums, and the weavers, already at their looms, read the clattering of feet and carts aright.