"And why not out of his sister's?" said the "Spune," with another dark look as unnecessary as the former. "Just as sune,--a' ane." "And," continued the tempter, where no temptation was necessary, "I know where she lies, just in the southeast angle, where he told me his father was laid." "Why no him?" replied Mowat; "a' ane." "Rotten ten years ago, you idiot," said the other, getting impatient. "Weel, the fresh ane then." "Now you are sensible," continued the friendly counsellor; "we might have her here in the morning, with five pounds each in our pockets, and a laugh in our sleeves at Merrylees." "I never saw you laugh," said Mowat, in perfect innocence. "No more you did, nor any other person, 'cause its always in the sleeve. Doesn't do to laugh about these things--they're scientific." "Umph! dinna understand that; but I'm ready when you like." "That's right," replied the gratified "Spune." "Have Cameron's donkey and cart at the south end of Newington by ten o'clock. It's moonlight, I think." "Dinna ken, but it's a' ane. I'll be there; but, mind, you stand the whisky this time." And so (having indulged, perhaps, in our own way of putting this conversation--the _contenu_ being the same) the important enterprise was arranged with that zest on the part of the grave and precise principal which results from secrecy; for it was impossible to suppose that Merrylees could suspect that even they were capable of preying on their fellow-labourer, and robbing the nest of any affections that might hang about it.