The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

J.02 T-he Ihghland Monthly.
" Ye'll better spier an' see," was the laconic reply ; but
Chirsty was now blushing terribly.
" Then, wull ye tak' me or wuU ye no ?" blurted out
John, twirling his thumbs, and looking the very picture of
nervousness.
" Nell," shouted Chirsty.
" Yes."
" Get the tawties peeled."
" A' richt."
" Ye micht stop scrapin' pats, an' gie me an answer,"
John pleaded.
" Ye micht get up off the pat," said she, the unromantic
aspect of the wooing occurring to her womanly sense.
" D' ye think ye culd marry me, Kirsty ?"
" Ye've been a long time in makin' up yer mind, John
I culd hae marrit a dizzen in the time."
" Oor family are a blate kind, Kirsty ; but no efter
they're marrit. My faather was the auldest o' foorteen.
Whomsumever, that's no the question—Are ye gaun tae be
Mistress Maxwell ?"
" I'm no sayin' no."
" Then say yes or no."
" Imphum."
" Thank ye, Kirsty lass ; that's rael satisfeein'. An' noo
that yer my ain, I may as weel tell ye that I hae always
regarded ye wi' deep affection."
" Its no very like it."
" Hoo ?"
" I never got a kiss frae ye in my life."
" Then ye'll get a richt ane noo," and John suited the
action to the word, to the consternation of Nell outside,
who heard the smack, and knew the sound well.
" Ye maun gang awa noo ; my work's ahint," counselled
Chirsty.
" Kiss me an' I'll bolt," said John.
In reply Chirsty caught John's face in her two plump,
sooty hands, and imprinted an endearment which quite
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