'It's nae your hoose, Betty. Dinna lee.'

'Weel, I s' hae nae sic things gang by my kitchie door. There,
Robert! what 'll ye mak' o' that? There's nae offence, there, I
houp, gin it suldna be a'thegither my ain hoose. Tak Shargar oot o'
that, or I s' awa' benn the hoose, as I tell ye.'

Meantime Shargar was standing on the stones, looking like a
terrified white rabbit, and shaking from head to foot with cold and
fright combined.

'I'll tak him oot o' this, but it's up the stair, Betty. An' gin ye
gang benn the hoose aboot it, I sweir to ye, as sure 's death, I'll
gang doon to Muckledrum upo' Setterday i' the efternune.'

'Gang awa' wi' yer havers. Only gin the mistress speirs onything
aboot it, what am I to say?'

'Bide till she speirs. Auld Spunkie says, "Ready-made answers are
aye to seek." And I say, Betty, hae ye a cauld pitawta (potato)?'

'I'll luik and see. Wadna ye like it het up?'

'Ow ay, gin ye binna lang aboot it.'

Suddenly a bell rang, shrill and peremptory, right above Shargar's
head, causing in him a responsive increase of trembling.

'Haud oot o' my gait. There's the mistress's bell,' said Betty.