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172 attended his summons to the parlour slowly and reluctantly, and, on entering the room, paid her respects in the driest possible manner. The dialogue then proceeded as follows:

"A fine frosty morning, Mrs Mac-Candlish."

"Aye, sir; the morning's weel aneuch."

"Mrs Mac-Candlish, I wish to know if the justices are to dine here as usual after the business of the court on Tuesday?"

"I believe—I fancy sae, sir—as usual"—(about to leave the room).

"Stay a moment, Mrs Mac-Gandlish—why, you are in a prodigious hurry, my good friend—I have been thinking a club dining here once a month would be a very pleasant thing."

"Certainly, sir; a club of respectable gentlemen."

"True, true, I mean landed proprietors and gentlemen of weight in the country; and I should like to set such a thing agoing."