Page:Tales of my landlord (Volume 4).djvu/181

 "There was the law-suit to be ended," said Jenny readily, "forby many other family arrangements."

"Na, bat," said Cuddie, "there was another reason forby; for the young leddy"

"Whisht, haud your tongue, and sup your sowens," said his wife; "I see the gentleman's far frae weel, and downa eat our coarse supper—I wad kill him a chicken in an instant."

"There is no occasion," said the stranger; "I shall want only a glass of water, and to be left alone."

"You'll gi'e yoursel the trouble then to follow me,” said Jenny, lighting a small lantern, "and I'll shew you the way."

Cuddie also proffered his assistance; but his wife reminded him, "That the bairns would be left to fight thegither, and eoap ane anither into the fire," so that he remained to take charge of the menage.

His wife led the way up a little winding path, which, after threading some thickets