Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 2 - 1819.djvu/254

244 mak myself contemptible, and folk are far frae respecting me as they wad do if I lived in a twa-lofted sclated house. But as for the Ravenswoods, I hae seen three generations of them, and de'il ane to mend other."

"I thought they had enjoyed a fair character in the country," said their descendant.

"Character! Ou ye see, sir," said the sexton, "as for the auld gude-sire body of a lord, I lived on his land when I was a swanking young chield, and could hae blawn the trumpet wi' ony body, for I had wind eneugh then—and touching this trumpeter Marine that I have heard play afore the Lords of the Circuit, I wad hae made nae mair o' him than of a bairn and a bawbee whistle—I defy him to hae play'd 'Boot and saddle,' or 'Horse and away,' or 'Gallants, come trot,' with me—he has na the tones."

"But what is all this to old Lord Ravenswood, my friend?" said the Master, who,