THE AUTHOR'S FIRST VISIT TO DROUGHSBURK. 397 



and went over his books, which I wished much to see, and 

 which he was justly proud to show. 



The day had passed with a strange speed to me, and, as 

 evening was now drawing nigh and I had a long way to 

 return, I was reluctantly obliged to go. Staff in hand, he 

 accompanied me down the burn, that sang its evensong 

 beneath the cress and scented mint, and along the highway 

 some distance towards Alford. The sunshine was bright 

 and warm, and the valley of the Leochel was filled with a 

 calm sunset light, as we walked on together, pursuing the 

 pleasant talk that had winged the hours with such delight 

 to me and happiness to him. I told him how I had enjoyed 

 the time I had spent with him ; how it had realised a 

 happiness I had looked forward to for years ; and how, 

 seeing he looked so well, I hoped ere long to come again 

 to Droughsburn, before he passed to his long home. I told 

 him that I should write his friend, Charles, of my visit and 

 all I had seen and heard. This visibly affected him, and 

 touched a chord that trembled on his lip and gave a pearly 

 brightness to his eye. He assured me that he had enjoyed 

 the day, and would remember it, for he now had few to visit 

 him, and fewer to understand and sympathise with his 

 pursuits ; and he sent his best remembrances and many 

 messages to Charles. We shook hands warmly and parted. 

 I went back to the outer world of work, and he returned to 

 his solitary labour and study and contentment, in that 

 retired hollow among the hills. 



