kenned, even at the time, there was some puir excuse for a moment’s madness of passion and its miserable consequences--you were aye so strong yoursel’ that you micht hae had some mercy on the weak--and we were weak as water, baith Leezbeth and me. But it’s a’ ower now, Jean, and you are to the fore and a “wanter” yet. Woman, gin you would suffer me to make some amends--a’ that’s in my power. I’ve keepet my place and risen to be foreman at Blawart Brae in spite of a’. I’ve gude thirty pounds a year o’ wages, and I’ve paid up my debt this last twalmonth. If I had onybody to manage for me I micht do weel yet. It’s not to certain puirtith I’m bidding you, Jean. And there’s my little cummers,’ continued the infatuated man, with a flash of exultant hope, well-nigh conviction, at the mention of his young daughters; ‘they will be proud to do your will, and wait on you like a queen; you could rear them into fine women like yoursel’. The wee chappie would be a fash to you, no doubt, but you are never the woman to heed sic fash, and oh! lass, you dinna ken what a takin’ way he has wi’ him, how he is the pet of ilka body that comes near him, though he’s ill-grown and weakly. He tholes his trouble like a bit man, and when he’s no clean knocked on the head wi’t, and wallied like the young grass in simmer-time when there has not been a shower to slocken its drouth for sax weeks, he’s the plaisantest o’ God’s creatures you ever saw. Jean, you would like Jockie as gin he were your ain, and you micht be the saving of my laddie,’ pleaded Bob passionately, as he had never pled before, not even for Jean’s young love.