And since we ought to dwell as little as possible upon scenes in which unguarded innocence is exposed to artful conspiracies, we will put a page or two into the brute form of dramatic dialogue, and so sail through it quicker. _1st Merchant._ “Where are ye going, Meggie?” _Christie Johnstone._ “If onybody asks ye, say ye dinna ken.” _1st Mer._ “Will ye sell your fish?” _Christie._ “Suner than gie them.” _1st Mer._ “You will be asking fifteen shillin' the cran.” _Christie._ “And ten to that.” _1st Mer._ “Good-morning.” _2d Mer._ “Would he not go over fifteen shillings? Oh, the thief o' the world!--I'll give sixteen.” _3d Mer._ “But I'll give eighteen.” _2d Mer._ “More fool you! Take him up, my girl.” _Christie._ “Twenty-five is my price the day.” _3d Mer._ “You will keep them till Sunday week and sell their bones.” _[Exeunt the three Merchants. Enter 4th Merchant._ _4th Mer._ “Are your fish sold? I'll give sixteen shillings.” _Christie._ “I'm seeking twenty-five, an' I'm offered eighteen.” _4th Mer._ “Take it.” _[Exit._ _Christie._ “They hae putten their heads thegither.” Here Flucker came up to her, and told her there was a Leith merchant looking for her. “And, Custy,” said he, “there's plenty wind getting up, your fish will be sair hashed; put them off your hands, I rede ye.” _Christie._ “Ay, lad! Flucker, hide, an' when I play my hand sae, ye'll run in an cry, 'Cirsty, the Irishman will gie ye twenty-two schellin the cran.'” _Flucker._ “Ye ken mair than's in the catecheesm, for as releegious as ye are.” The Leith merchant was Mr. Miller, and this is the way he worked. _Miller (in a mellifluous voice)._ “Are ye no fatigued, my deear?” _Christie (affecting fatigue)._ “Indeed, sir, and I am.” _Miller._ “Shall I have the pleasure to deal wi' ye?” _Christie._ “If it's your pleasure, sir. I'm seekin' twenty-five schellin.” _Miller (pretending not to hear)._ “As you are a beginner, I must offer fair; twenty schellin you shall have, and that's three shillings above Dunbar.” _Christie._ “Wad ye even carted herrin with my fish caller fra' the sea? and Dunbar--oh, fine! ye ken there's nae herrin at Dunbar the morn; this is the Dunbar schule that slipped westward. I'm the matirket, ye'll hae to buy o' me or gang to your bed” _(here she signaled to Flucker)._ “I'll no be oot o' mine lang.” _Enter Flucker hastily, crying:_ “Cirsty, the Irishman will gie ye twenty-two schellin.” “I'll no tak it,” said Christie. “They are keen to hae them,” said Flucker; and hastily retired, as if to treat further with the small merchants. On this, Mr. Miller, pretending to make for Leith, said, carelessly, “Twenty-three shillings, or they are not for me.” “Tak the cutter's freight at a hundre' cran, an' I'm no caring,” said Christie. “They are mine!” said Mr. Miller, very sharply. “How much shall I give you the day?” “Auchty pund, sir, if you please--the lave when you like; I ken ye, Mr. Miller.”