Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/186

 Mrs Mason; "but I came in search of a bason and water, which Grizzy has forgot to put in my room, and until I wash, I can proceed no farther in dressing myself."

"Dear me," replied Mrs MacClarty, "I'm sure you're weel eneugh. Your hands ha' nae need of washing, I trow. Ye ne'er do a turn to file them."

"You can't surely be in earnest," replied Mrs Mason. "Do you think I could sit down to breakfast with unwashed hands? I never heard of such a thing, and never saw it done in my life."

"I see nae gude o' sic nicety," returned her friend; "but its easy to gie ye water eneugh, though I am sure I dinna ken what to put it in, unless ye tak ane o' the porridge plates: or may be the calf's luggie may do better, for it 'ill gie you eneugh o' room."

"Your own bason will do better than either," said Mrs Mason. "Give me the