"They were discussing the buying of a new Bible for the Church. Deacon Laird proposed it. He said he had been noticing for a long time that the pulpit Bible was frizzled and worn, and the cushion much faded; both of them looking as they should not look in the Church of the Disciples." "And what words did you give them?" "I let them talk among themselves, until Elder Black said he knew a place where a large Bible could be got at a very cheap figure, likewise the cushion, and he would take time to ask the selling price of the same this week." "Well?" "I said then: 'Elder, you will keep your silence concerning a cheap Bible. I'll have no cheap Bible in my pulpit. You are grudging nothing of the best for all your private necessities, and you will buy the House of God what is fitting for it.'" "You spoke well. Now they will be looking for the best Bible in Scotland. But what for did Deacon Laird raise that question, when the congregation, in its most respectable part, is going down the water for the summer months?" "He is young, and only just elected, and he was trying to do something that none of the other deacons had thought of. That is my surmise. If I wrong the man, I ask pardon." "He will have to pay for his bit of forwardness. The others will see to it that he backs his proposal with his money." Dr. Macrae made no further remark on the subject. He took from his pocket a letter and said: "I had a few lines from Lady Cramer, and she tells me that the Little House will be unoccupied this summer. Some unforeseen circumstances preventing Lady Kitty Baird's family visiting her, she offers it to me for four or five months. If you could pack your clothes to-morrow, you might remove there on Wednesday or Thursday, and, by taking the train from Edinburgh, you would reach Cramer early in the afternoon." "Do you mean that Marion and I are to go there?" "I do." "O Father, how very delightful! I am so happy!" "It is a pretty place. I saw it when I was last at Cramer. Also, it is near the sea. You will like that, Marion." "We will both of us like it, Ian. I shall be glad to be near the hills and the sea, and Marion is needing a change. But, Ian, you will have to consider that, if we are going--in a manner--as Lady Cramer's friends or guests, Marion will be asked--at odd times--to the Hall, and she must have one or two frocks, and other things in accordance." "Marion can go to Stuart and McDonald's and get whatever she wants." Then Marion lifted her eyes and met her father's eyes, and she smiled and nodded; and, though no word was spoken, both were well satisfied. "Now," continued Dr. Macrae, "I am going to my study to read. You will have plenty to talk about. I should only be in your way." "Bide a minute, Ian; what about the servant lasses? You cannot shut up this house. Donald--poor lad--must have some place to lay his head, and eat his bread."