The ladies did go to a local minister for enlightenment, to Mr.Dishart; but, after reflecting, Mr.Dishart said that it was too long a story, and this answer seemed to amuse Mr.Ogilvy, who happened to be present.
It was Mr.McLean who retailed this news to Tommy.

He and Ailie had walked home from church with the newcomers on the day after their arrival, the day of the christening.

They had not gone into Aaron's house, for you are looked askance at in Thrums if you pay visits on Sundays, but they had stood for a long time gossiping at the door, which is permitted by the strictest.

Ailie was in a twitter, as of old, and not able even yet to speak of her husband without an apologetic look to the ladies who had none.

And oh, how proud she was of Tommy's fame! Her eyes were an offering to him.
"Don't take her as a sample of the place, though," Mr.McLean warned him, "for Thrums does not catch fire so readily as London." It was quite true.