Page:History of Buckhaven.pdf/13

13 that I saw, nor 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 quiet, you're, speaking nonsence.

Janet. De de'il's in the carles, for you and your minister's are liars, when ye 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 pound, 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 is 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 de wyte o' a' the ill in the kintry, bastard bairns ard every thing and if it be as ye say ye may. thank de de'il for that four pound an a groat I have gi'en ye, that gars your pat play brown, and gets ye jockey, coats, purl-handed sarks, white headed and staves, when my father's pat wallops up rough bear and blue water.

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