except that such vagaries of nature are not unknown, it might have been
supposed that some cuckoo had visited the parental nest.

A gaunt, hard-featured domestic completed this interesting family, and
she was uncommon too. By no means young, what Balzac calls "a woman of
canonical age," she resembled Pere Grandet's tall Nanon. Like Nanon, she
had been the devoted servant of the family for nearly a quarter of a
century, and like her, had no interest outside that of her master and
mistress. She was always working, rarely went out, spoke little, but
ministered to the wants of Tom and myself, and waited on us with
unremitting attention.

Despite all drawbacks, however, they were fine lodgings. The old lady
was a wonderful cook and had all the liberality of her race.

New Year's Day, the great Scotch holiday, Tom and I spent in Edinburgh,
and returned much impressed with its stately beauty.

The next morning I entered upon my work at St. Rollox, where the stores
department of the Caledonian Railway is situated. The head of the
department was styled Stores Superintendent. I thought him the most
impressive looking man I had ever seen. He overpowered me; in his
presence I never felt at ease. He was a big man, and looked bigger than
he was; good-looking too; ruddy, portly, well-dressed and formal. An
embodiment of commercial energy and dignity. In his face gravity,
keenness, and good health were blended. Soon after I joined his staff he
left the Caledonian to become General Manager of Young's Paraffin Oil
Company, and subsequently its Managing Director. Success, I believe,
always attended him. No position could lose any of its importance in his
hands. When he left St. Rollox a great blank was felt; he filled so