Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 2 - 1819.djvu/318

308 and wife, I hae just ae thing to entreat ye, that ye will never speak to me a single word, good or bad, anent a' this nonsense wark, but keep a' your cracks about it to yoursells and your kimmers, for my head is weel nigh dung donnart wi' it already."

As John's authority was tolerably absolute, all departed to their usual occupations, leaving him to build castles in the air, if he had a mind, upon the court-favour which he had acquired by the expenditure of his worldly substance.