But I'll have to tell Mr.M'Brair; I'm under a kind of a bargain to him to tell him all.' 'Tell it to the divil if ye like for me!' cried the lass.

'I've naething to be ashamed of.

Tell M'Brair to mind his ain affairs,' she cried again: 'they'll be hot eneugh for him, if Haddie likes!' And so strode off, shoving her beasts before her, and ever and again looking back and crying angry words to the boy, where he stood mystified.
By the time he had got home his mind was made up that he would say nothing to his mother.

My Lady Montroymont was in the keeping-room, reading a godly book; she was a wonderful frail little wife to make so much noise in the world and be able to steer about that patient sheep her husband; her eyes were like sloes, the fingers of her hands were like tobacco-pipe shanks, her mouth shut tight like a trap; and even when she was the most serious, and still more when she was angry, there hung about her face the terrifying semblance of a smile.
'Have ye gotten the billet, Francie said she; and when he had handed it over, and she had read and burned it, 'Did you see anybody ?' she asked.
'I saw the laird,' said Francie.
'He didna see you, though ?' asked his mother.
'Deil a fear,' from Francie.
'Francie!' she cried.

'What's that I hear?
an aith?
The Lord forgive me, have I broughten forth a brand for the burning, a fagot for hell-fire ?' 'I'm very sorry, ma'am,' said Francie.