Page:Exploits of wise Willie and witty Eppie, the ale-wife, of Buckhaven (2).pdf/14



14                     the place, but some of the elders did. Then said he, O Janet but the devil was busy with you at that time. Jan. A by my fegs, sir, that's a great lie ye're                     tellin' now, for the de'il was ne there that I saw, nor ony body else, to bid us do ae thing or anither; we lo'ed ither unco well for alang time before that, an' syne we tell'd ither, an' 'greed to marry ither, like honest folk; then might na we learn to do the thing married folk do, without the de'il helping us. Whisht, whisht, cried they, ye should be scourg'd, fause loon quein it thou is, ye're speaking nonsense. Jan. De de'ils i' the carles, for you and your ministers is liars, when ye say it is de de'll it was helping Sandy and me to get de bairn. Come, come, said they, pay down the Kirk-dues, and come back to the stool the morn; the price is four pund, and a                     groat to the bell-man. Jan. The auld thief speed the darth o't air, far less night sair you and your bell man baith. O but this be a warld indeed, when pour honest folks maun pay for making use o' their own a--: Ye misca' the poor de'il a-bint his back, and gi'és him de                     wyte o' a' de ill in de kintry, bastard bairns, and every thing; an' if it be see as ye say, ye may thank de de'il for that four pund and a groat I ha'e                     gi'en ye; that gars your pot play brawn, an' gets you jockey coats, an' purl-handed cirks, an' white- headed staves, when my father's pot wallops up                     rough beer and blue water. The woman is mad, said they, for this money is all given to the poor of the parish.