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word and returned； with an expedition almost to be called flight； to the
house of his father。 The clearest of his inheritance was that family gift of
prayer of which Kirstie had boasted； and the baffled politician now turned
his attention to religious matters … or； as others said； to heresy and schism。
Every Sunday morning he was in Crossmichael； where he had gathered
together； one by one； a sect of about a dozen persons； who called
themselves 〃God's Remnant of the True Faithful；〃 or； for short； 〃God's
Remnant。〃 To the profane； they were known as 〃Gib's Deils。〃 Bailie
Sweedie； a noted humorist in the town； vowed that the proceedings always
opened to the tune of 〃The Deil Fly Away with the Exciseman；〃 and that
the sacrament was dispensed in the form of hot whisky…toddy； both
wicked hits at the evangelist； who had been suspected of smuggling in his
youth； and had been overtaken （as the phrase went） on the streets of
Crossmichael one Fair day。 It was known that every Sunday they prayed
for a blessing on the arms of Bonaparte。 For this 〃God's Remnant；〃 as they
were 〃skailing〃 from the cottage that did duty for a temple； had been
repeatedly stoned by the bairns； and Gib himself hooted by a squadron of
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Border volunteers in which his own brother； Dand； rode in a uniform and
with a drawn sword。 The 〃Remnant〃 were believed； besides； to be
〃antinomian in principle；〃 which might otherwise have been a serious
charge； but the way public opinion then blew it was quite swallowed up
and forgotten in the scandal about Bonaparte。 For the rest； Gilbert had set
up his loom in an outhouse at Cauldstaneslap； where he laboured
assiduously six days of the week。 His brothers； appalled by his political
opinions； and willing to avoid dissension in the household； spoke but little
to him； he less to them； remaining absorbed in the study of the Bible and
almost constant prayer。 The gaunt weaver was dry…nurse at Cauldstaneslap；
and the bairns loved him dearly。 Except when he was carrying an infant in
his arms； he was rarely seen to smile … as； indeed； there were few smilers
in that family。 When his sister…in…law rallied him； and proposed that he
should get a wife and bairns of his own； since he was so fond of them； 〃I
have no clearness of mind upon that point；〃 he would reply。 If nobody
called him in to dinner； he stayed out。 Mrs。 Hob； a hard； unsympathetic
woman； once tried the experiment。 He went without food all day； but at
dusk； as the light began to fail him； he came into the house of his own
accord； looking puzzled。 〃I've had a great gale of prayer upon my speerit；〃
said he。 〃I canna mind sae muckle's what I had for denner。〃 The creed of
God's Remnant was justified in the life of its founder。 〃And yet I dinna
ken；〃 said Kirstie。 〃He's maybe no more stockfish than his neeghbours！ He
rode wi' the rest o' them； and had a good stamach to the work； by a' that I
hear！ God's Remnant！ The deil's clavers！ There wasna muckle Christianity
in the way Hob guided Johnny Dickieson； at the least of it； but Guid kens！
Is he a Christian even？ He might be a Mahommedan or a Deevil or a Fire…
worshipper； for what I ken。〃
The third brother had his name on a door…plate； no less； in the city of
Glasgow； 〃Mr。 Clement Elliott；〃 as long as your arm。 In his case； that spirit
of innovation which had shown itself timidly in the case of Hob by the
admission of new manures； and which had run to waste with Gilbert in
subversive politics and heretical religions； bore useful fruit in many
ingenious mechanical improvements。 In boyhood； from his addiction to
strange devices of sticks and string； he had been counted the most
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eccentric of the family。 But that was all by now； and he was a partner of
his firm； and looked to die a bailie。 He too had married； and was rearing a
plentiful family in the smoke and din of Glasgow； he was wealthy； and
could have bought out his brother； the cock…laird； six times over； it was
whispered； and when he slipped away to Cauldstaneslap for a well…earned
holiday； which he did as often as he was able； he astonished the
neighbours with his broadcloth； his beaver hat； and the ample plies of his
neckcloth。 Though an eminently solid man at bottom； after the pattern of
Hob； he had contracted a certain Glasgow briskness and APLOMB which
set him off。 All the other Elliotts were as lean as a rake； but Clement was
laying on fat； and he panted sorely when he must get into his boots。 Dand
said； chuckling： 〃Ay； Clem has the elements of a corporation。〃 〃A provost
and corporation；〃 returned Clem。 And his readiness was much admired。
The fourth brother； Dand； was a shepherd to his trade； and by starts；
when he could bring his mind to it； excelled in the business。 Nobody could
train a dog like Dandie； nobody； through the peril of great storms in the
winter time； could do more gallantly。 But if his dexterity were exquisite；
his diligence was but fitful； and he served his brother for bed and board；
and a trifle of pocket…money when he asked for it。 He loved money well
enough； knew very well how to spend it； and could make a shrewd bargain
when he liked。 But he preferred a vague knowledge that he was well to
windward to any counted coins in the pocket； he felt himself richer so。
Hob would expostulate： 〃I'm an amature herd。〃 Dand would reply； 〃I'll
keep your sheep to you when I'm so minded； but I'll keep my liberty too。
Thir's no man can coandescend on what I'm worth。〃 Clein would expound
to him the miraculous results of compound interest； and recommend
investments。 〃Ay； man？〃 Dand would say； 〃and do you think； if I took
Hob's siller； that I wouldna drink it or wear it on the lassies？ And； anyway；
my kingdom is no of this world。 Either I'm a poet or else I'm nothing。〃
Clem would remind him of old age。 〃I'll die young； like； Robbie Burns；〃
he would say stoutly。 No question but he had a certain accomplishment in
minor verse。 His 〃Hermiston Burn；〃 with its pretty refrain …
〃I l