Tamar to Shanty, to ask him to talk him out of the fancy, and to
persuade him to adopt some employment, if it were only digging in his
garden, which might bring in something; but Shanty sent Tamar back to
Mrs. Margaret to tell her that she ought to be thankful that there was
anything found which would keep the Laird easy and quiet, and out of the
way of spending the little which he had left. Poor Dymock, therefore,
was not disturbed in his attempts at authorship, and there he used to
sit in his study with slip-shod feet, an embroidered dressing gown,
which Mrs. Margaret had quilted from an old curtain, and a sort of
turban twisted about his head, paying no manner of attention to hours or
seasons. As Mrs. Margaret only allowed him certain inches of candle, he
could not sit up all night as geniuses ought to be permitted to do; but
then he would arise with the lark and set to work, before any of the
labourers on the moor were in motion. In vain did Mrs. Margaret complain
and expostulate; she even in her trouble sent Tamar again to Shanty to
request him to plead with the Laird, and beg him to allow himself to
enjoy his regular rest; but in this case when she required Shanty's aid,
she had reckoned without her host.

"Go back to Mrs. Margaret, damsel," he said, "go and tell the lady that
as long as she can keep the Laird from work by candle light, so long no
harm is done, and if instead of murmuring at this early rising, fair
child, you will take example by him, and leave your bed at the same time
that your hear him go down, you will do well. He that lies in bed gives
a daily opportunity to his servants, if he has any to serve him, to do
mischief before he is up, and she that rises with the sun and goes
straight forward, like an arrow in its course, in the path of her
duties, shall find fewer thorns and more roses in that path, than those
who indulge in ease. Through divine mercy," continued the old man, "our
own exertions are not needed for the assurance of our salvation, but