Old Mrs MacKay was a woman with a grievance. She was, she firmly believed, being neglected by her minister, who, having deputed his work of visitation to his assistant, had not called on her for over a year.

The minister was a great student of Botany and was famous far beyond the bounds of his Parish for his published works and his collection of rare specimens.

After three visits by the assistant, the minister did at last present himself in person at Mrs MacKay's door. There was a flinty look in her eye as she greeted him :-

"Oh, it's yirsel, is't? Weill, aw A'll say is this. Gin A haed bin some kin o fancy puddock stuil, ye'd hae bin here lang afore nou."