Well, my wife was just lightin' a pig-tail--tho' light enough and to spare there was in the lift already--when who should come clatterin' at the latch-pin in the blow o' thunder and wind but Philip, poor lad, himself; and an ill hour for him it was.

He's been some time in ill fettle, though he was never frowsy, not he, but always kind and dooce, and canty once, like anither; and he asked me to tak the boat across the lake at once to the Clough o' Cloostedd at t'other side.

The woman took the pet and wodn't hear o't; and, 'Dall me, if I go to-night,' quoth I.But he would not be put off so, not he; and dingdrive he went to it, cryin' and putrein' ye'd a-said, poor fellow, he was wrang i' his garrets a'most.

So at long last I bethought me, there's nout o' a sea to the north o' Snakes Island, so I'll pull him by that side--for the storm is blowin' right up by Golden Friars, ye mind--and when we get near the point, thinks I, he'll see wi' his een how the lake is, and gie it up.

For I liked him, poor lad; and seein' he'd set his heart on't, I wouldn't vex nor frump him wi' a no.