pikestaff, gudeman, and I'll no let ye rest if ye dinna mak me a
bailie's wife or a' be done" -

I was not ill pleased to hear Mrs Pawkie so spiritful; but I
replied,

"Dinna try to stretch your arm, gude-wife, further than your sleeve
will let you; we maun ca'canny mony a day yet before we think of
dignities."

The which speech, in a way of implication, made Deacon Clues to
understand that I would not absolutely refuse an honour thrust upon
me, while it maintained an outward show of humility and moderation.

There was, however, a gleg old carlin among the gossips then
present, one Mrs Sprowl, the widow of a deceased magistrate, and she
cried out aloud:-

"Deacon Clues, Deacon Clues, I redd you no to believe a word that Mr
Pawkie's saying, for that was the very way my friend that's no more
laid himself out to be fleeched to tak what he was greenan for; so
get him intill the council when ye can: we a' ken he'll be a credit
to the place," and "so here's to the health of Bailie Pawkie that is
to be," cried Mrs Sprowl. All present pledged her in the toast, by
which we had a wonderful share of diversion. Nothing, however,
immediately rose out of this, but it set men's minds a-barming and
working; so that, before there was any vacancy in the council, I was
considered in a manner as the natural successor to the first of the
counsellors that might happen to depart this life.