"Just think a moment first," the doctor warned him. "I decline to have anything to do with this matter. You will go to the Kaims for the siller?" "If it is necessary," said Gavin. "It is necessary," the Egyptian said. "Then I will go." Nanny took his hand timidly, and would have kissed it had he been less than a minister. "You dare not, man," the doctor said gruffly, "make an appointment with this gypsy. Think of what will be said in Thrums." I honour Gavin for the way in which he took this warning. For him, who was watched from the rising of his congregation to their lying down, whose every movement was expected to be a text to Thrums, it was no small thing that he had promised. This he knew, but he only reddened because the doctor had implied an offensive thing in a woman's presence, "You forget yourself, doctor," he said sharply. "Send some one in your place," advised the doctor, who liked the little minister. "He must come himself and alone," said the Egyptian. "You must both give me your promise not to mention who is Nanny's friend, and she must promise too." "Well," said the doctor, buttoning up his coat, "I cannot keep my horse freezing any longer. Remember, Mr. Dishart, you take the sole responsibility of this." "I do," said Gavin, "and with the utmost confidence." "Give him the ring then, lassie," said McQueen. She handed the minister the ring, but he would not take it. "I have your word," he said; "that is sufficient." Then the Egyptian gave him the first look that he could think of afterwards without misgivings. "So be it," said the doctor. "Get the money, and I will say nothing about it, unless I have reason to think that it has been dishonestly come by. Don't look so frightened at me, Nanny. I hope for your sake that her stocking-foot is full of gold." "Surely it's worth risking," Nanny said, not very brightly, "when the minister's on her side." "Ay, but on whose side, Nanny?" asked the doctor. "Lassie, I bear you no grudge; will you not tell me who you are?" "Only a puir gypsy, your honour," said the girl, becoming mischievous now that she had gained her point; "only a wandering hallen-shaker, and will I tell you your fortune, my pretty gentleman?" "No, you shan't," replied the doctor, plunging his hands so hastily into his pockets that Gavin laughed. "I don't need to look at your hand," said the gypsy, "I can read your fortune in your face." She looked at him fixedly, so that he fidgeted. "I see you," said the Egyptian in a sepulchral voice, and speaking slowly, "become very frail. Your eyesight has almost gone. You are sitting alone in a cauld room, cooking your ain dinner ower a feeble fire. The soot is falling down the lum. Your bearish manners towards women have driven the servant lassie frae your house, and your wife beats you." "Ay, you spoil your prophecy there," the doctor said, considerably relieved, "for I'm not married; my pipe's the only wife I ever had."