“Dear me! hae ye come into a fortune?” cried Jinnet eagerly. “Isn’t that droll? I was jist sayin’ to Erchie that I, wisht somebody would leave me something and I would buy him a new topcoat.” “That’ll be a’ richt,” said Duffy. “If he’ll gie me a haund wi’ this thing I called aboot the nicht, I’ll stand him the finest topcoat in Gleska, if it costs a pound.” “If it’s ca’in on lawyers and the like o’ that ye want me to dae,” said Erchie, “I’m nae use to ye. I’ve a fine wye wi’ me for ministers and the like o’ that, that’s no’ aye wantin’ to get the better o’ ye, but lawyers is different. I yince went to a lawyer that was a member in oor kirk to ask him if he didna think it was time for him to pay his sate-rents. He said he would think it ower, and a week efter that he sent me an account for six- and-eightpence for consultation. But I’m prood to hear ye’ve come in for something, Duffy, whether I get a topcoat or no’. I never kent ye had ony rich freen’s at a’. Faith, ye’re weel aff; look at me, I havena a rich freen’ in the warld except--except Jinnet.” “Oh, I never kent she was that weel aff,” cried Mrs Duffy. “Is it her!” said Erchie. “She has that much money in the bank that the bank clerks touch their hats to her in the street if she has on her Sunday claes. But that wasna whit I was thinkin’ o’; there’s ither kinds o’ riches besides the sort they keep in banks.” “Never mind him, he’s an auld fuiter,” said Jinnet, spreading a tablecloth on the table and preparing for the tea. “I’m shair I’m gled to hear o’ your good luck. It doesna dae to build oorsel’s up on money, for money’s no everything, as the pickpocket said when he took the watch as weel; but we’re a’ quite ready to thole’t. Ye’ll be plannin’ whit ye’ll dae wi’t, Mrs Duffy?” “First and foremost we’re gaun to get rid o’ the ree, at onyrate,” said Mrs Duffy emphatically. “Then we’re gaun to get a piano.” “Can ye play?” asked Erchie. “No,” admitted Mrs Duffy, “but there’s nae need tae play sae lang’s ye can get a vinolia to play for ye. I think we’ll flit at the term to yin o’ yon hooses roond the corner, wi’ the tiled closes, and maybe keep a wee servant lassie. I’m that nervous at havin’ to rise for the mulk in the mornin’. No’ an awfu’ big servant wi’ keps and aiprons, ye understaund, but yin I could train into the thing. I’m no’ for nane o’ your late dinners, I jist like to tak’ something in my hand for my supper.” “Och ay, ye’ll can easy get a wee no’ awfu’ strong yin frae the country, chape,” said Erchie. “Ye must tak’ care o’ yer ain health, Mrs Duffy, and if ye’re nervous, risin’ in the mornin’ to tak’ in the mulk’s no’ for ye. But my! ye’ll no’ be for speakin’ to the like o’ us when ye come into your fortune.” “It’s no’ exactly whit ye wad ca’ a fortune,” Duffy explained, as they drew in their chairs to the table. “But it’s a heap o’ money to get a’ at yince withoot daein’ onything for’t.”