No that I'm like to dee o' auld
age either."
"I haena sae muckle i' the bank as some folk may think; though what
there is is safe eneuch. But I hae a bonny business doun yonner, and it
micht be better yet. It's jist the land o' Goshen, only it wants a
wheen mair tap-dressin'."
"Tak it frae the bank, than, Robert."
"The bank! said ye, Marget? I canna do that."
"And what for no?"
"'Cause I'm jist like the hens, Marget. Gin they dinna see ae egg i'
the nest, they hae no hert to lay anither. I daurna meddle wi' the
bank."
"Weel, lat sit than; an' lay awa' at yer leisur'. Hoo's the mistress?"
"No that weel, and no that ill. The faimily's rather sair upo' her. But
I canna haud her oot o' the chop for a' that. She's like mysel'--she
wad aye be turnin' a bawbee. But what are ye gaein to do yersel',
Marget?"
"I'm gaein to my uncle and aunt--auld John Peterson and his wife.
They're gey and frail noo, and they want somebody to luik efter them."
"Than ye're weel provided for; Praise be thankit! Marget."
"Ow, ay; nae doot," replied Marget, with bitterness, of which Bruce
took no notice.
"And what's to come o' the bairnie?" pursued he.
"I maun jist get some dacent auld body i' the toon to tak' her in, and
lat her gang to the schuil.
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