Katie was taken so much aback by this speech as to let Jock go on without interruption; but she at last exclaimed--"Ye’re a kind cratur, Jock, and I’m muckle obleeged to you; but I really canna think o’t. It’ll no’ work; it wad pit ye aboot, an’ mak’ a cleish-me-claver in the toon; an’--an’----" "I care as little for the toon," said Jock, "as the toon cares for me! Ye’ll no be bothered wi’ me, mind, gif ye let me help ye. I hae got clean pease strae for a bed frae Geordie Miller the carrier, and a sackfu’ for a bowster; and I ken ye hae a sort o’ laft, and I’ll pit up there; and it’s no’ aften I hae sic a bed; and cauld parritch or cauld praties wull dae for my meat, an’ I need nae mair; an’ I hae braw thick stockin’s--I can pit on twa pair if necessar’, tae walk as quiet as a cat stealin’ cream; sae gif ye’ll let me, I’ll do my best endeevour tae help ye." "Oh, Jock, man!" said Mrs. Mercer, "ye’re unco guid. I’ll think o’t--I’ll think o’t, and speer at the Doctor--I wull, indeed; and if sae be he needs--Whisht! What’s that?" ejaculated Katie, starting from her chair, as little Mary entered the kitchen hurriedly, saying-- "Come ben fast, mither!" Katie was in a moment beside her husband, who for the first time manifested symptoms of violent excitement, declaring that he must rise and dress for church, as he heard the eight o’clock bells ringing. In vain she expostulated with him in the tenderest manner. He ought to rise, he said, and would rise. Was he not an elder? and had he not to stand at the plate? and would he, for any consideration, be late? What did she mean? Had she lost her senses? And so on.