Page:Guy Mannering Vol 1.djvu/48

38 Weel is them, that weel may

Fast upon St Andrew's day. Saint Bride and her brat,

Saint Colme and her cat,

Saint Michael and his spear,

Keep the house frae reif and weir.

This charm she sung to a wild tune, in a high and shrill voice, and, cutting three capers with such strength and agility as almost to touch the roof of the room, concluded, "And now, Laird, will ye no order me a tass o' brandy?" "That you shall have, Meg—Sit down yont there at the door, and tell us what news ye have heard at the fair o' Drumshourloch."

"Troth, Laird, and there was muckle want o' you, and the like o' you; for there was a whin bonnie lasses there, forbye mysell, and deil ane to gie them hansels."

"Weel, Meg, and how mony gypsies were sent to the tolbooth?"

"Troth, but three, Laird, for there were