Languages & literature > A window in Thrums

94 A WINDOW IN THRUMS.
remembering some old body who would be the
better of a little of it.
Among those who must have missed Jess sadly
after she was gone was Johnny Proctor, a half¬
witted man who, because he could not work,
remained straight at a time of life when most
weavers, male and female, had lost some inches of
their stature. For as far back as my memory goes
Johnny had got his brose three times a week from
Jess, his custom being to walk in without ceremony,
and, drawing a stool to the table, tell Leeby that he
was now ready. One day, however, when I was in
the garden putting some rings on a fishing-wand,
Johnny pushed by me, with no sign of recognition
on his face. I addressed him, and, after pausing
undecidedly, he ignored me. When he came to
the door, instead of flinging it open and walking
in, he knocked primly, which surprised me so much
that I followed him.
“ Is this whaur Mistress McQumpha lives ? ” he
asked, when Leeby, with a face ready to receive
the minister himself, came at length to the door.
I knew that the gentility of the knock had taken
both her and her mother aback.