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 make a' straight again. A wise man like you shouldna bear malice against a poor dumb thing; ye see that a goat's like first cousin to a deer, sae he acted but according to his nature after a'. Had it been a pet-lamb, there wad hae been mair to be said. Ye suld keep sheep, Elshie, and no goats, where there's sae mony deer-hounds about—but I'll send ye baith."

"Wretch!" said the Hermit, your cruelty has destroyed one of the only creatures in existence that would look on me with kindness."

"Dear, Elshie, I'm wae you suld hae cause to say sae; I'm sure it was na wi' my will.—And yet, it's true, I should hae minded your goats, and coupled up the dogs. I'm sure I would rather they had worried the primest wether in my faulds.—Come, man, forget and forgi'e. I'm e'en as vexed as ye can be—But I am a bridegroom, ye see, and that puts a' things out