chamber of a dying person.

'Our poor friend,' said one grave gentleman, scarcely opening his
mouth, for fear of deranging the necessary solemnity of his
features, and sliding his whisper from between his lips, which
were as little unclosed as possible--'our poor friend has died
well to pass in the world.'

'Nae doubt,' answered the person addressed, with half-closed eyes;
'poor Mrs. Margaret was aye careful of the gear.'

'Any news to-day, Colonel Mannering?' said one of the gentlemen
whom he had dined with the day before, but in a tone which might,
for its impressive gravity, have communicated the death of his
whole generation.

'Nothing particular, I believe, sir,' said Mannering, in the
cadence which was, he observed, appropriated to the house of
mourning.

'I understand,' continued the first speaker, emphatically, and
with the air of one who is well informed--'I understand there IS a
settlement.'

'And what does little Jenny Gibson get?'

'A hundred, and the auld repeater.'

'That's but sma' gear, puir thing; she had a sair time o't with
the auld leddy. But it's ill waiting for dead folk's shoon.'