Page:Jeanie Deans and the lily of St. Leonard's.pdf/8

 8 Jeanie. -"Nae gate," answered Effie_" And wla was that parted wi' you at the stile ?" “Naebody," replied Effie again. “Nae gate -Naebody”. I wish it may be a right gate, and a right body that keeps folk out sae late at e'en, Effie." " What needs ye aye be speering than at fock"? retorted Effie. " I'm sure if ye'll ask nae questions, I'll tell ye nae lees. I never asks what brings the Laird of Dumbie- dikes glowering here day after day like a wall cat."--Because ye ken very weel he comes to see our faither, replied Jeanie.— and Domi- nie Butler, Does he come to see our fai her that's sae ta’en wi' his Latin words "? said Effie, but observing the tear gather in Jeanie's eye, she suddenly flung her arms around her neck, and kissed them away. Jeanie though hurt and offended, was unable to resist the caresses of this untaught child of nature, and as she return. ed the sisterly kiss in token of reconciliation, she gently said, “ I canna be muckle vexed wi ony thing ye say to me, Effie, but O dinna vex our father.” " I will not, I will not," re- plied Effie, and if there were fifty dances the morns night, I winna budge an inch to gang to ane o' them." At the moment the word dunce was uttered, it reached the ear of old David Deans, who had turned the corner of the house, and come upon his daughters ere they were a- ware of his presence "Dance!" he exclaimed “Dance ! said ye? I daur ye, limmers that ye are, to name sic a word at my door check- It's a dissolute profane past me, and if I sae muckle as hear you name dancing, ye shall be no more charge or concern o'mine? The reproof of 1 avid Deans however well meant, was unhappily timed, as it deterred Effie