Na, naething confuses me, unless it be a screed o' drink at an orra time.

Besides, I behooved to be round the hirsel this morning and see how the herds were coming on; they're apt to be negligent wi' their footballs, and fairs, and trysts, when ane's away.
And there I met wi' Tarn o' Todshaw, and a wheen o' the rest o' the billies on the water side; they're a' for a fox-hunt this morning,--ye'll gang?
I 'll gie ye Dumple, and take the brood mare mysell.' 'But I fear I must leave you this morning, Mr.Dinmont,' replied Brown.
'The fient a bit o' that,' exclaimed the Borderer.

'I'll no part wi' ye at ony rate for a fortnight mair.

Na, na; we dinna meet sic friends as you on a Bewcastle moss every night.' Brown had not designed his journey should be a speedy one; he therefore readily compounded with this hearty invitation by agreeing to pass a week at Charlie's Hope.
On their return to the house, where the goodwife presided over an ample breakfast, she heard news of the proposed fox-hunt, not indeed with approbation, but without alarm or surprise.

'Dand! ye're the auld man yet; naething will make ye take warning till ye're brought hame some day wi' your feet foremost.' 'Tut, lass!' answered Dandle, 'ye ken yoursell I am never a prin the waur o' my rambles.' So saying, he exhorted Brown to be hasty in despatching his breakfast, as, 'the frost having given way, the scent would lie this morning primely.' Out they sallied accordingly for Otterscope Scaurs, the farmer leading the way.