Page:History of Buckhaven, or, The exploits of Wise Willie and Witty Eppie.pdf/13

13 that I saw, or ony body else, to bid us to do ae thing or anither : we lo'ed ither 'unco weel for a lang time before that, and syne we tell'd ither an agreed 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, you should be scourged. False jillet be quit, you're speaking nonsense.

Janet. De de'il's in the carles, for you and your minister's are liars, when you say it is the de'il it was helping Sandy and me to get a bairn. Come, come, said they, put down the kirk dues, and come back to the stool the morn; the price is four pounds and a groat to the bell-man.

Janet. The auld thief speed the darth o't sir, far less might sair you and your bell-man baith. O but this be a warld indeed, when poor honest folks maun pay for making use of their ain a-. Ye misca' the poor de'il ahint his back, an gi’es him the wyte o' a' the ill in the kintry, bastard bairns and every thing; and if it be as you say, ye may thank the de'il for that four pound and a groat I have gi'en you, that gars your pot play brown, and gets you jockey coats, purl-handed sarks, and white headed staves, when my father's pat wallops up rough bear and blue water.

The woman is mad, said they, for this money is all to the poor of the parish.