The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

400 The Highland Monthly.
" Toots, never mind that ; as the meenister said on
Sawbath, there's a deegnity in wark that's no to be
dispeezed."
" There's wark an' wark," rejoined Chirsty, making the
soot fly from the bottom of a kettle, "the meenister wudna
see much dignity in scrapin' his ain parritch pat. But what
are ye daein' at the Ha', if I may ask ye a ceevil question."
" That's a great secret," said John, cautiously closing the
door of the apartment, " Maister Richard telt me no tae let
a livin' soul ken that he had sent me wi' a letter tae Miss
Somerton."
At this announcement, Chirsty dropped her scraping
knife, and addressed John very impressively.
" It strikes me, John, that Mr Richard is havin' fine
ongauns at the Ha', while he should gie mair attention to
the bit lassie he's gaun to maary an' mak' mistress o' the
Castle. It's no for me tae say't, for oor Miss is a rael guid
young leddy ; but I've a notion somehoo that things are no
a' richt."
" Jist what I was sayin tae mysel' comin' alang the
road, Kirsty. This keepin' o' company an' wrichtin' tae
ither wumen is no richt ava, says I."
" Dinna sit doon on that big pat, John, ye'U fa' in.
There's mair than a'e chair i' the kitchen, if ye'd gang an'
get ane."
" Never fear— I'll put on the lid. Aye, it's no richt, as
we were sayin'."
" It's no' that I would pry intil ither folks' affairs, but I
heard the Maister and the Miss speakin' the
gey queer way."
ither day in a
" Aye," ejaculated John, " he's a queer creetur himsel'."
" ' Dorothy," said he, ' the fish has ta'en the flee, d'ye
think }-c cud land him ?" ' Anyday,' said she, laughin' like
—she's bonnie, but I wudna gie much for the saftness o' her
heart. I didna like her laugh, ' Weel,' said the Maister,
' as the sport lies in wurkin' a fish, gie him line for a wee.
You'll find it amusin' in this dull country.' Think o' that !"