Amid this bustle Brown was fain to secure Wasp from the other dogs, who, with ardour corresponding more to their own names than to the hospitable temper of their owner, were much disposed to use the intruder roughly.
In about a minute a stout labourer was patting Dumple, and introducing him into the stable, while Mrs.Dinmont, a well-favoured buxom dame, welcomed her husband with unfeigned rapture.

'Eh, sirs! gudeman, ye hae been a weary while away!'.