Nae mair cud yer father--hoot! yer gran'father, I mean--though his father cud speyk it weel.

But to hear yer mother--mamma, as ye used to ca' her aye, efter the new fashion--to hear her speyk English, that was sweet to the ear; for the braid Scotch she kent as little o' as I do o' the Erse.

It was hert's care aboot him that shortent her days.

And a' that'll be laid upo' him.

He'll hae 't a' to beir an' accoont for.