The first night
she went was the worst, for the minister kept dogs, and the manse was
near the church, and even her light footfall was sufficient to set every
one of them a-barking. But Lady Home sent for the minister next day, and
upon the pretence of one of them being mad, persuaded their owner to
hang them all. Grisell and her father had the same sunny nature, and
both dearly loved a joke, and each amusing little incident of the day
was saved up by the former to be told while the prisoner made a meal on
the food which she brought with her. Many a hearty laugh they had
together in that dark, dismal place, and often Grisell stayed so late
that she had to run up the glen, so as to get home before day dawned.
The difficulties she encountered in securing food enough for her father
without arousing the suspicion of the servants was always a subject for
jest, for, more often than not, the only possible means of getting the
food was by surreptitiously conveying it, during a meal, from her own
plate into her lap. Her amazing appetite was bound to be commented upon,
but never did she surprise her brothers and sisters more than on a day
when the chief dish at dinner was her father's favourite one--sheep's
head. While the younger members of the family were very busy over their
broth, Grisell conveyed to her lap the greater part of the head.
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