Old servants of the true sort, have, I fancy, a kind of family
instinct. From the air about them almost, from the personal
carriage, from words dropped that were never meant for them, from
the thoughtful, troubled, or eager look, and the sought or avoided
conference, they get possessed by a notion both of how the wind is
blowing, and of how the ship wants to sail. But Grizzie was capable
of reasoning from what she saw. She marked the increase of care on
the brow of her master; noted that it was always greater after he
and Mr. Simon had had a talk at which Cosmo, the beloved of both,
was not present; and concluded that their talk, and the laird's
trouble, must be about Cosmo. She noted also that both were as much
pleased with him as ever, and concluded therefore it was his
prospects and not his behaviour that caused the uneasiness. Then
again she noted how fervently at prayers her master entreated
guidance to do neither more nor less than the right thing; and from
all put together, and considered in the light of a tolerably
accurate idea of the laird's circumstances, Grizzie was able not
only to arrive at a final conclusion, but to come to the resolution
of offering--not advice--that she would never have presumed
upon--but a suggestion.
CHAPTER XX
CATCH YER NAIG.
One night the laird sat in the kitchen revolving in his mind the
whole affair for the many hundredth time. Was it right to spend on
his son's education what might go to the creditors? Was it not
better for the world, for the creditors, and for all, that one of
Cosmo's vigour should be educated? Was it not the best possible
investment of any money he could lay hold of? As to the creditors,
there was the land! the worst for him was the best for them; and
for the boy it was infinitely better he should go without land than
without education! But, all this granted and settled, WHERE WAS THE
MONEY TO COME FROM? That the amount required was small, made no
difference, when it was neither in hand, nor, so far as he could
see, anywhere near his hand.
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