wi’ him the next dance; but she answered (in a way as if she was ashamed of being seen speaking to him) that she was engaged. Willie said nae mair before the lad, but he sat patiently until the ball was ended, thinking he might have an opportunity of speaking to her on the road hame; but her new lad saw her into her father’s door. That night Willie didna close an eye, and my heart was like to break for him, the way he sighed the hale nicht lang. Like maist folk, when they do wrang, they think they have the best right to be offended, so Jessie didna look near our house the next day, until Mary gaed in for her. “What ailed you at Willie last night?” said Mary, willing to bring about some explanation; “I fear you vext him unco sair by leavin’ him to dance wi’ yon ideot.” “’Deed then,” replied Jessie, “he needna fash to be vex’d about it, for I wadna tie mysel’ down to please him or ony ither body; does he really think, because I consented to be his partner at the ball, that I obliged mysel’ no to dance wi’ ony body but him?” “It was na because you danced wi’ ony ither body,” said Mary, “although he had your ain promise for that, but because you left his company a’thegether, that he wad fin’ vex’d.” “Tuts, I canna be fash’d wi’ him aye rinnin’ after me frae place to place, and aye sittin’ beside me.” “You didna aye think sae,” said Mary, looking her in the face; “but although ye couldna be fashed wi’ him, there was ither folk there, far inferior to him, that you could sit beside till the last minute.” “Wha is’t you ca’ inferior to him? I am sure the lad I was wi’ is a far bonnier lad, and a far better dancer, than ever he’ll be in his life.” This observation o’ hers brought the tears in my een, for I saw my poor laddie’s heart was gien to ane that wad tread it under her feet, and laugh while she did it.