Probably the stirring of her conscience made this the more necessary to her peace.
If the Lord were to appear in person amongst us, how much would the sight of him do for the sinners of our day?
I am not sure that many like Mistress Croale would not go to him.

She was not a bad woman, but slowly and surely growing worse.
That morning, as soon as the customer whose entrance had withdrawn her from her descent on Gibbie, had gulped down his dram, wiped his mouth with his blue cotton handkerchief, settled his face into the expression of a drink of water, gone demurely out, and crossed to the other side of the street, she would have returned to the charge, but was prevented by the immediately following entrance of the Rev.
Clement Sclater--the minister of her parish, recently appointed.

He was a man between young and middle-aged, an honest fellow, zealous to perform the duties of his office, but with notions of religion very beggarly.

How could it be otherwise when he knew far more of what he called the Divine decrees than he did of his own heart, or the needs and miseries of human nature?
At the moment, Mistress Croale was standing with her back to the door, reaching up to replace the black bottle on its shelf, and did not see the man she heard enter.
"What's yer wull ?" she said indifferently.
Mr.Sclater made no answer, waiting for her to turn and face him, which she did the sooner for his silence.

Then she saw a man unknown to her, evidently, from his white neckcloth and funereal garments, a minister, standing solemn, with wide-spread legs, and round eyes of displeasure, expecting her attention.
"What's yer wull, sir ?" she repeated, with more respect, but less cordiality than at first.
"If you ask my will," he replied, with some pomposity, for who that has just gained an object of ambition can be humble?
--"it is that you shut up this whisky shop, and betake yourself to a more decent way of life in my parish." "My certie! but ye're no blate (over-modest) to craw sae lood i' my hoose, an' that's a nearer fit nor a perris!" she cried, flaring up in wrath both at the nature and rudeness of the address.