Mrs.
Margaret was fretted when she was made aware of this plan, and sent
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.
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