Dear Tammas
A poor old deaf man resided in Fife; he was visited by his minister
shortly after coming to his pulpit. The minister said he would often
call and see him; but time went on, and he did not visit him again until
two years after, when, happening to go through the street where the deaf
man was living, he saw his wife at the door, and could therefore do no
other than inquire for her husband. "Weel, Margaret, how is Tammas?"
"None the better o'you," was the curt reply. "How, how, Margaret,"
inquired the minister. "Oh, ye promised twa years syne tae ca' and pray
once a fortnight wi' him, and hae ne'er darkened the door sin' syne."
"Weel, weel, Margaret, don't be so short! I thought it was not so very
necessary to call and pray with Tammas, for he is so deaf ye ken he
canna hear me." "But, sir," said the woman, with a rising dignity of
manner, "the Lord's no deaf!" And it is to be supposed the minister felt
the power of her reproach.