An Old Man's Love Chapter 2 - Mr Whittlestaff

In which we become acquainted with Mr Whittlestaff, a man of quiet endurance and gentle melancholy, who has weathered life's disappointments with stoic resignation and maintains a kindly, if reserved, presence in his parish. His thoughts dwell on a past love that once brought him great sorrow, while he now contemplates a tender yet cautious hope with Mary Lawrie, whose modest demeanour both consoles and confounds him.