When Peg received John's message she huffed and stormed: "My brother John," quoth she, "is grown wondrous kind-hearted all of a sudden, but I meikle doubt whether it be not mair for their own conveniency than for my good; he draws up his writs and his deeds, forsooth, and I must set my hand to them, unsight, unseen.

I like the young man he has settled upon well enough, but I think I ought to have a valuable consideration for my consent.

He wants my poor little farm because it makes a nook in his park-wall.

Ye may e'en tell him he has mair than he makes good use of; he gangs up and down drinking, roaring, and quarrelling, through all the country markets, making foolish bargains in his cups, which he repents when he is sober; like a thriftless wretch, spending the goods and gear that his forefathers won with the sweat of their brows: light come, light go, he cares not a farthing.

But why should I stand surety for his contracts?
The little I have is free, and I can call it my awn--hame's hame, let it be never so hamely.