Page:Important passages in the life of Mansie Wauch, tailor in Dalkeith.pdf/21

21 that wondered he was never like to come frae the wars and marry her. I thocht on this, for his voice was mournfu', though I couldna understand the words; and kenning he was a stranger in a far land, my bowels yearned within me with compassion towards him.

I wad hae gien half-a-crown, at that blessed moment, to hae been able to wash my hands free o' him; but I swithered, and was like the cuddie between the twa bundles of hay. At lang and last a thocht struck me, which was to gie the deluded simple cratur a chance of escape; reckoning that if he fand his way hame, he wad see the shame and folly of feighting against us ony mair; and marrying Maysie Rabble, live a contented and peacefu' life under his ain feg and bey tree. So, wishing him a sound sleep, I cried through the door,— "Mounseer, gooda nighta;" decoying away Benjie and Tammy Bodkin into the house, and dispatching them to their beds like lamp-lighters, bidding them never fash their thumbs, but sleep like taps, as I would keep a sharp look-out till morning.

As soon, hoosomever, as I heard them sleeping, and playing on the pipes through their noses, I cried first "Tammie," and syne "Benjie" to be sure, and, glad to receive nae answer from either, I ga'ed to the aumrie and took out a mutton bane, gey sair pykit, but fleshy eneuch the moose end; and, pitting a penny row aside it, crap out to the coal house on my tip-taes. All was quiet as pussie, —so I shot them through the hole at the corner made for letting the gaislings in by; and, g'ieing a tirl, cried saftly through,—"Halloa, Mounseer, there's yere suppera fora youa; for I dara saya you are yauppa"

The puir chiel commented again to grunt and grane, and groan and yelp, and cry ohone;—and mak sic waefu lamentations, that heart o' man couldna stand it; and I fand the warm tear prap,