Page:Martha Spreull by Zachary Fleming.pdf/50

38 to darken my door; but there she wis in my best parlour, accordin’ to the evidence o’ my servant-wumman, wha brocht me her caird efter showin’ her ben.

“Weel,” quoth I, "this beats miracles, she’s fa’en into my ban’s i’ the nick o’ time.”

My bluid wis up, but I didna lose my temper. Hooever, it wisna the wye o’ the Spreulls to say saut when they wanted mustard. So I gaed stracht ben. There wis my leddy, wT her braw flounces spread out carefully ower my carpet, her ban’s folded before her, wi’ her nose i’ the air, glowerin’ through her gowd specks as if she wis sittin’ for her fottygraph. Thinks I, “I’ll tak the stairch oot o’ you, my wumman, or I’m dune wi’ ye.”

“ Mrs. Whangy,’’ said I, quite calmly, withoot sittin’ doon, “ this is an unexpected veesit. Maybe ye ’ll tak aff yer specks, ye ’ll feel the guid o’ them when ye gang oot.” I couldna help the remark, for the specks made her look sae grand an’ impident-like; but I pushed on.

"Weel, it’s maybe no’ worth yer while,” quoth I, “ for a’ the time ye’ll care to bide. Ye ’ve come, nae doot, to speer aboot the bursary.”

“ Miss Spreull,” she said, settin’ her teeth firm.

“Na, na,” says I, “I’ve got twa’r three things to say, an’ I ’ll no’ be interruptit i’ my ain hoose. I'm no’ used to flytin’; hooever, I can speak oot my mind braw an’ weel when it ’& needed. But it maunna be bark aboot i’ this hoose altho’ ye are a tanner’s wife. Ye’ve gotten yer ain vairsion o’ that bursary story, as I’ve heard tell, and ye’re welcome to’t for me; but I have mine. Maybe your wye is the ane ye wud have ta’en if ye’d been in my place; but I’ve reason to be thankfu’ that Providence made me wi’ a mind abune the mean and unworthy motive ye have evened to me. I daresay there ia