Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/166

 for it, that if you don't, they, as well as you, will suffer from the consequences. But come, boys, we shall go to the field ourselves, and see how the farmer's work goes on."

Mrs MacClarty glad of his proposal, went to the door to point the way. Having received her directions, Mr Stewart pointing to the pool at the threshold, asked her how she could bear to have such dirty doors. "Why does not your husband fetch a stone from the quarry?" said he. "People, who are far from stones and from gravel, may have some excuse; but you have the materials within your reach, and by half-a-day's labour could have your door made clean and comfortable. How then can you have gone on so long with it in this condition?"

"Indeed, I kenna. Sir," said Mrs MacClarty; "the gudeman just canna be fash'd."

"And cannot you be fash'd to go to the end of the house to throw out your dirty