was the neist ploy?  He, he!  Na; the cryin was a ploy, for the leddies did nae keep themsels up than as they do noo; but the day after the bairn was born, the leddy sat up i’ her bed, wi’ her fan intill her hand; an’ aw her freends earn’ an’ stud roond her, an’ drank her health an’ the bairn’s.  Than at the leddy’s recovery there was a graund supper gien that they caw’d the cummerfealls, an’ there was a great pyramid o’ hens at the tap o’ the table, an’ anither pyramid o’ ducks at the fit, an’ a muckle stoup fu’ o’ posset i’ the middle, an’ aw kinds o’ sweeties doon the sides; an’ as sune as ilk ane had eatin their fill they aw flew till the sweeties, an’ fought, an’ strave, an’ wrastled for them, leddies an’ gentlemen an’ aw; for the brag was wha could pocket maist; an’ whiles they wad hae the claith aff the table, an’ aw thing i’ the middle i’ the floor, an’ the chyres upside doon.  Oo! muckle gude diversion, I’se warran,’ was at the cummerfealls.  Than whan they had drank the stoup dry, that ended the ploy.  As for the kirsnin, that was aye whar it sude be—­i’ the hoose o’ God, an’ aw the kith an’ kin bye in full dress, an’ a band o’ maiden cimmers aw in white; an’ a bonny sight it was, as I’ve heard my mither tell.”

Mr. Douglas, who was now rather tired of the old lady’s reminiscences, availed himself of the opportunity of a fresh pinch to rise and take leave.

“Oo, what’s takin’ ye awa, Archie, in sic a hurry?  Sit doon there,” laying her hand upon his arm, “an’ rest ye, an’ tak a glass o’ wine, an’ a bit breed; or may be,” turning to Mary, “ye wad rather hae a drap broth to warm ye.  What gars ye luck sae blae, bairn?  I’m sure it’s no cauld; but ye’re juste like the lave; ye gang aw skiltin aboot the streets half naked, an’ than ye maun sit an’ birsle yoursels afore the fire at hame.”

She had now shuffled along to the farther end of the room, and opening a press, took out wine, and a plateful of various-shaped articles of bread, which she handed to Mary.

“Hae, bairn—­tak a cookie; tak it up—­what are you fear’d for?  It’ll no bite ye.  Here’s t’ye, Glenfern, an’ your wife, an’ your wean, puir tead; it’s no had a very chancy ootset, weel a wat.”

The wine being drunk, and the cookies discussed, Mr. Douglas made another attempt to withdraw, but in vain.

“Canna ye sit still a wee, man, an’ let me spear after my auld freens at Glenfern?  Hoo’s Grizzy, an’ Jacky, and Nicky?  Aye workin awa at the pills an’ the drogs?—–­he, he!  I ne’er swallowed a pill, nor gied a doit for drogs aw my days, an’ see an ony of them’ll rin a race wi’ me whan they’re naur five score.”

Mr. Douglas here paid her some compliments upon her appearance, which were pretty graciously received; and added that he was the bearer of a letter from his Aunt Grizzy, which he would send along with a roebuck and brace of moor-game.