Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/198

 it; for that it wou'd na' get leave to bide clean lang."

"But if your children were better taught," said Mrs Mason, "it might get leave to bide clean long enough. If the same activity which they have display'd in dirtying it, had been directed into proper channels, your cottage might have been kept in order by their little hands, and your garden, and all about your doors made neat and beautiful. Children are naturally active; but unless their activity be early bent to useful purposes, it will only lead them into mischief. Were your children"—

"Hoot," said Mrs MacClarty, peevishly, "my bairns are just like other folks'. A' laddies are full o' mischief. I'm sure there's no a yard i' the town where they can get a flower or apple keepit for them. I wonder what ye would ha' said, if ye had seen the minester's yets the day after they were painted, slaked and