But here's Johnny Florence, the bellman, at the lang length, I'se be at the boddom o' fat they're at noo." And wi' that he pints till a carlie comin' across the green, wi' a bit paper in's han', an' a gryte squad o' them 't hed been hingin' aboot the manse-door at's tail.

"Oo, it's Johnny gyaun to read the edick," cries a gey stoot chap, an' twa three o' them gya a roar o' a lauch....

"Speek oot, min!" cries ane.

"I think ye mith pronunce some better nor that, Johnny," says anither; an' they interrupit 'im fan he was tryin' to read wi' a' kin' of haivers, takin' the words oot o's mou, an' makin' the uncoest styte o't 't cud be.
Notes .-- _brae_, hill; _wan up_, got up; _gyaun upon_, going close upon; _braw_, excellent; _twal_, twelve; _sattlement_, decision; _I'se_, I will (lit.

I shall); _sanna_, will not; _till's_, for us; _kent fowk_, known people, acquaintances; _a'gate_, in all ways; _hunners_, hundreds; _fae_, from; _hyne awa'_, hence away, as far off; _the tae_, the one; _the tither_, the other; _yauws_, sails; _puckles_, numbers, many; _dyke_, stone fence; _orra jaw_, various loud talk; _mair gedderin'_, more gathering; _on to_, near; _deen_, done; _bit fudder_, bit of a rumour (lit.