Malcolm dropped into a seat, and stared like an idol. Could he have heard the words? In his eyes Mr Graham was the man of the place— the real person of the parish. He dismissed! The words breathed of mingled impiety and absurdity.
The schoolmaster burst out laughing at him.
“I’m feart to speyk, sir,” said Malcolm. “Whatever I say, I’m bun’ to mak a fule o’ mysel’! What in plain words div ye mean, sir?”
“Somebody has been accusing me of teaching heresy—in the school to my scholars, and in my own house to the fisher-folk: the presbytery has taken it up, and here is my summons to appear before them and answer to the charge.”
“Guid preserve ’s, sir! And is this the first ye hae h’ard o’ ’t?”
“The very first.”
“An’ what are ye gauin’ to do?”
“Appear, of course.”
“An’ what’ll ye say to them?”
“I shall answer their questions.”