Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/234

 not one thought of offering a hand, until their questions had been answered. Mrs Mason at length, by her remonstrances, restored silence, and got the people to help the poor sufferer to his bed; on which he was no sooner laid, than his wife flew to give him a dram of whisky, which she had been taught to consider as the only cordial for fatigue. But Mrs Mason observing how very feverish he appeared, begged her to desist, and at the same time hastened the preparation of a dish of tea, which having prevailed on him to swallow, she addressed the people, who crowded round his bed, entreating they would leave him to the repose of which he stood so much in need. This was not a matter so easily to be accomplished: for so eager were they all engaged in conversation, that, among so many louder tongues, her voice had little chance of being heard.

"Hech me!" cries one, "I never heard o' sic a thing i' my life!"

"I have gane to the Lammas fair,