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Which I shou’d do, tho’ ne’er sae bissy; I sent him here, goodwife, where is he ?” “ Ye sent him here !” (quoth Bessy grumbling " Kend I this James!—A chiel came rumbling, But how was I assur’d, when dark, That he had been nae thievish spark, Or some rude wencher, gotten a dose, That a weak wife cou’d ill oppose ?” “ But what came of him? speak nae langer,” Cries Halbert, in a Highland anger. “ I sent him to the barn,” quoth she : " Gae quickly bring him in,” quoth he. James was brought in—the wife was bawked The Priest stood close—the Miller cracked— Syne speer’d his sulky gloomy spouse, What supper she had in the house, That might be suitable to gi’e Ane o’ their lodger’s quality ? Quoth she, “ Ye may well ken, good-man, Your feast comes frae the parritch-pan: The stov’d or roasted we afford, Are aft great strangers on our- board.” “ Parritch,” quoth Hab, “ ye senseless tawpie Think ye this Youth’s a gilly-gawpy ;