Page:Exploits of wise Willy, and witty Eppie of Buckhaven.pdf/12

12 came bladdering about the buttock meal, summoned him and her before the haly band, a cuort that was held in the kirk on Saturday morning; and all the herd laddies round about cried, ay, ay Sandy, pay the bull siller, or we'll cut the cow's tail awa'. So poor Sandy suffered sadly in the flesh, besides the penalty and kirk penance.

But Wise Willie took pity on them, and gade wi' them to the kirk-court, what learned folk call the session Jenny was first called upon and in she goes where all the haly band was convened, elders and younger deacons, and dog-payer keeping the door, the cankardest carls that could be gotten between Dysart and Dubyside, white heads and bald heads sitting wantin' boets, wi' their white headed staves and hodden grey jockey coats about them.

Mess John says, Come away Janet, we're waiting on you here.

Min. Now Janet where was this child gotten?

Jan. A deed sir, it was gotten amang the black stanes, at the cheek o' the crab holes.

Mess John stares at her not knowing 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 nae there,