The Willing Horse: A Novel

Example in this ebook. CHAPTER ITHE VALLEYS STAND SO THICK WITH CORNIA Sunday at Baronrigg is a chastening experience. It is not exactly a day of wrath—though one feels that it might easily become one—but it is a time of tribulation for people who do not want to go to church—or if the worst happens prefer their religious exercises to be brief and dilute.But neither brevity nor dilution makes any appeal to my friend Tom Birnie.I am a member he announces as soon as a quorum has assembled at Sunday breakfast of the old Kirk of Scotland; and I propose to attend service at Doctor Chirnside's at eleven o'clock. If any of you would care—he addresses a suddenly presented perspective of immaculate partings bald spots and permanent waves—to accompany me a conveyance will leave here at ten-forty.Well we can't all get in that's plain chirps Miss Joan Dexter hopefully. (The table is laid for fourteen.)The conveyance continues the inexorable Tom holds twelve inside and four out not counting the coachman.It's no good Joan old fruit observes Master Roy Birnie. We keep a pantechnicon!I suppose there's not a Church of England service within reach? asks little Mrs. Pomeroy rather ingeniously. One's own Church makes an appeal to one which no other denomination cannot—can—adequately—doesn't it? she concludes a little uncertain both of her syntax and her host. This is her first visit to Baronrigg.Now she's done for herself! whispers Master Roy into my left ear.I agree with you. There is an Episcopal Church—Scottish Episcopal of course—at Fiddrie three miles from here. I shall be happy to send you over there this evening at half-past six. This morning I know you will put up with our barbaric Northern rites! replies Tom with what he imagines to be an indulgent smile. I like to see the Baronrigg pew full.And full it is.The longer I know Tom Birnie the more I marvel that Diana Carrick married him. That sentiment is shared by a good many people but on more abstract grounds than mine. Tom is a just and considerate landlord an adequate sportsman and a good specimen of that class by whose voluntary service this country gets most of its local government done admirably for nothing. But there are certain things against Tom.. To be continue in this ebook..................................................................................