Page:Life of Mansie Wauch tailor in Dalkeith (2).pdf/7

 than a week, for that purpose. How she when I stappit them into her hand, and  by without speaking? I stood at the of the close listening, and heard her  till she was like to split. My heart flappit in my breast like a pair of fanners. was a moment of heavenly bope; but I saw Jamie Coom, the blacksmith, who I aye was my rival, coming down to the well. I her give him one of the apples: and hearing  say with a loud gaffaw, "Where is the ?" I took to my heels, and never stopped till found myself on the little stool by the fireside,  the hamely sound of my mother's wheel bum- in my lug, like a gentle lullaby.

Every noise I heard flustered me, but I in time, though I went to my bed without  supper. When I was driving out the to the grass on the next morn, who was it  ill fate to meet but the blacksmith, "Ou, Mansie," said Jamie Coom, "are ye gaun to  me for your best man? I hear you are to be  in the kirk on Sunday?"

"Me!" answered I, shaking and staring.

"Yes!" said he, "Jess the minister's maid told me last night, that you had been giving up name at the manse. Ay, it's ower true— she showed me the apples ye gied her in a . This is a bonny story, Mansie, my, and you only at your 'prenticeship yet."

Terror and despair had struck me dumb. I as still and as stiff as a web of buckram. tongue was tied and I couldna contradict him faulded his arms, and gaed away whistling,