any rash and unhappy blow that a man may deal in a fight, when his
party was on defence, and standing up to him; and that's the only
creed a man can live upon in Scotland, let your daughter think
what she pleases. Marry, a man must know his fence, or have a short
lease of his life, in any place where blows are going so rife.
Five nobles to our altar have cleared me for the best man I ever
had misfortune with."

"Let us finish our flask, then," said the old glover; "for I
reckon the Dominican tower is tolling midnight. And hark thee, son
Henry; be at the lattice window on our east gable by the very peep
of dawn, and make me aware thou art come by whistling the smith's
call gently. I will contrive that Catharine shall look out at the
window, and thus thou wilt have all the privileges of being a gallant
Valentine through the rest of the year; which, if thou canst not
use to thine own advantage, I shall be led to think that, for all
thou be'st covered with the lion's hide, nature has left on thee
the long ears of the ass."

"Amen, father," said the armourer, "a hearty goodnight to you; and
God's blessing on your roof tree, and those whom it covers. You
shall hear the smith's call sound by cock crowing; I warrant I put
sir chanticleer to shame."

So saying, he took his leave; and, though completely undaunted,
moved through the deserted streets like one upon his guard, to his
own dwelling, which was situated in the Mill Wynd, at the western
end of Perth.