But we must here explain that Jock had previously called upon Dr. Scott, and thrusting his head into the surgery--his body and its new dress being concealed by the half-opened door--asked-- "Is’t true that Sergeant Mercer has got a smittal fivver?" The Doctor, who was writing some prescription, on discovering who the person was who put this question, said no more in reply than--"Deadly! deadly! so ye need not trouble them, Jock, by begging at their door--be off!" "Mrs. Mercer," replied Jock, "wull need a nurse--wull she?" "You had better go and get your friend Mrs. Craigie for her, if that’s what you are after. She’ll help Mary," replied the Doctor, in derision. "Thank ye!" said Jock, and disappeared. But to return to his interview with Mrs. Mercer--"I’m telt, Mrs. Mercer," he said, "that the Sergeant is awfu’ ill wi’ a smittal fivver, and that he needs some nurse--that is, as I understan’, some ane that wad watch him day and nicht, and keep their een open like a whitrat; somebody that wadna heed haein’ muckle tae do, and that could haud a guid but freen’ly grip o’ Mr. Mercer gif his nerves rise. An’ I hae been thinkin’ ye’ll fin’t a bother tae get sic a bodie in Drumsylie--unless, maybe, ane that wad wark for a hantle o’ siller; some decent woman like Luckie Craigie, wha micht-- "Dinna bother me the noo, Jock, wi’ ony nonsense," said Katie, "I’m no fit for’t. If ye need onything yersel’, tell me what it is, and, if possible, I’ll gie ye’t. But I maun gang back tae the room." "Ay," said Jock, "I want something frae ye, nae doot, and I houp I’ll get it. I want an extraordinar’ favour o’ ye; for, as I was sayin’, ye’ll fin’t ill tae get ony ane to watch Mr. Mercer. But if _I_ get ane that doesna care for their life--that respecs and loes Adam--that wadna take a bawbee o’ siller----" "As for that o’t, I’ll pay them decently," interrupted Katie. "And ane that," continued Jock, as if not interrupted, "has strength tae watch wi’ leevin’ man or woman,--what wad ye say tae sic a canny nurse as that?" "If there’s sic a bodie in the toon," replied Katie, "I wad be blythe tae _try_ them; no’ tae fix them, maybe, but to _try_, as the Doctor insists on’t." "Weel," said Jock, "the favour I hae to ax, altho’ it’s ower muckle maybe for you tae gie, is to let _me_ try my han’--let me speak, and dinna lauch at me! I’m no’ feered for death, as I hae been mony a time feered for life: I hae had by ordinar’ experience watchin’, ye ken, as a poacher, fisher, and a’ that kin’ o’ thing, sin’ I was a bairn; sae I can sleep wi’ my een open; and I’m strong, for I hae thrashed keepers, and teylors, and a’ sorts o’ folk; fac’, I was tempted tae gie a blue ee tae Smellie!--but let sleepin’ dogs lie--I’ll mak’ a braw nurse for the gudeman."