Page:Fun upon fun, or, Leper the tailor (1).pdf/24

 Honest Jamie, in a few days, was honoured with a visit from the Duke; when Jamie doffing his bonnet, and making a reverential bow, says, 'O, my lord! ye maunna be angry wi' me, but it's God's truth, my lord, there's a daft wee callant o' mine that canna rest, nor let others rest, nicht nor day; he has ta'en in his head sic a notion o' seeing what like ye are; gudesake, my lord, I dinna think he has ony yedea ye are a man at a', but some far awa, outlandish, ower-sea creature.' The Duke, mightily tickled with this fancy, desired Jamie bring the youngster into his presence forth with. Out comes the juvenile inquisitor, with his finger in his mouth, and cautiously reconnoitres the personage before him. At last quoth the urchin, 'Can ye soon?' 'No, my little fellow,' replied his grace. 'I canna soom.' "Can ye flee?' 'No, I canna flee.' Weel, man, for as muckle's ye're, I wadna gie ane o' my father's dukes for ye, for they can baith soom an' flee.'