On leaving the Manse, he proceeded at once to the house of Dr. Scott, the well-known doctor of the parish, and of a district around it limited only by the physical endurance of himself and of his brown horse, "Bolus". When the Corporal called, the Doctor was absent on one of his constantly recurring professional rides. Being a bachelor, his only representative was his old servant Effie, who received the visitor. She kept the surgery as well as the house, and was as well known in the parish as her master. Indeed she was suspected by many to have skill equal to her master’s, very likely owing to the powerful effects produced by her suggestive prescriptions. On learning the absence of the doctor, the Corporal inquired when he was likely to return. "Wha i’ the warl’ can tell that? Whatna quastion tae speer at me!" exclaimed Effie. "I meant nae offence," replied the Corporal; "but my freend, Sergeant Mercer----" "I beg yer pardon," interrupted Effie; "I wasna awar that ye were a freen’ o’ the Sergeant’s, honest man! Sae I may tell _you_ that the doctor may be here in a minute, or may be no’ till breakfast-time the morn; or he may come at twal’, at twa, or Gude kens whan! But if it’s an _ordinar’_ thing ye want for yersel’ or Adam, I can gie’t to ye:--sic as a scoorin’ dose o’ sauts or castur-ile, or rubhard pills, or seena leaf, or even a flee blister; or a few draps o’ lodamy for the grips." The Corporal listened with all respect, and said, "I want naething for mysel’ or Adam; but Dr. Scott is requested to veesit him on his return hame, or as soon after as convenient." "Convenient!" exclaimed Effie, "that’s no’ a word kent in Drumsylie for the doctor! He micht as well ax every gudewife in the parish if it was convenient for them to hae a son or a dochter at twal’ hours i’ the day or at twal’ at nicht on a simmer’s day or on a snawy ane; or tae ax whan it was convenient for folk tae burn their fit, break their leg, or play the mishanter wi’ themsels efter a fair. Convenient! Keep us a’! But depen’ on’t he’ll mak’ it convenient tae atten’ Mr. Mercer, nicht or mornin’, sune or early." "I’m sorry to trouble him, for I am sure he is unco’ bothered and fashed," said the Corporal, politely.