He sent his compliments up to the attic, however, by Leeby, and would I come and be a witness?
Gavin came up and explained.

He had taken off his scarf and thrust it into his pocket, lest the rain should take the colour out of it.

His boots cheeped, and his shoulders had risen to his ears.

He stood steaming before my fire.
"If it's no' ower muckle to ask ye," he said, "I would like ye for a witness." "A witness?
But for what do you need a witness, Gavin ?" "I want ye," he said, "to come wi' me to Mag's, and be a witness." Gavin and Mag Birse had been engaged for a year or more.

Mag was the daughter of Janet Ogilvy, who was best remembered as the body that took the hill (that is, wandered about it) for twelve hours on the day Mr.
Dishart, the Auld Licht minister, accepted a call to another church.
"You don't mean to tell me, Gavin," I asked, "that your marriage is to take place to-day ?" By the twist of his mouth I saw that he was only deferring a smile.
"Far frae that," he said.
"Ah, then, you have quarrelled, and I am to speak up for you ?" "Na, na," he said, "I dinna want ye to do that above all things.