Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/301

 "O the want of a bed was nothing then," returned Peggy; "the weather was warm, and some weel-laid straw did us vastly weel: for my own part,, I could put up with it all the year through; but my gudeman has been so weakly since he had the rheumatism, that I would be feared for his being the war' o't."

"And did you really put yourselves to such a shift, in order to oblige me?" said Mrs Mason. "What kindness! what delicacy in concealing the extent of the obligation! it grieves me to learn, that hearts so warm should have experienced misfortune; and by the hint you gave of selling off your furniture on leaving *****, I fear your circumstances have not been so prosperous as I heartily wish them."

"Since my misfortunes have been in some measure brought on by my own indiscretion, I ought not," said William, "to complain,"

"Indeed, Madam, he does himself wrang," cried Peggy, "he never was