human
Oh, Cuddie! she exclaimed to her helpmate as she entered,
gpt
I doubt we're ruined folk!
human
How can that be? What's the matter wi' ye?
gpt
Wha d' ye think yon gentleman is? Oh that ever ye suld hae asked him to light here!
human
Why, wha the muckle deil d'ye say he is? There's nae law against harbouring and intercommunicating now, said Cuddie;
gpt
Ay, but it's ane will ding Lord Evandale's marriage ajee yet, if it 's no the better looked to, said Jenny;
human
The deil, woman! exclaimed Cuddie, starting up,
gpt
Crow ye that I am blind? I wad hae kend Mr. Harry Morton amang a hunder.
human
Ay, but, Cuddie lad, replied Jenny,
gpt
Weel, what for needs ye cast that up to me just now; or what did ye see about the man that was like our Maister Harry?
human
What's the matter wi' me indeed! said Cuddie, who was again hastily putting on some of the garments he had stripped himself of;
gpt
Atweel, Cuddie, ye are gaun nae sic gate,
human
The deil's in the wife! said Cuddie.
gpt
D 'ye think I am to be John Tamson's man, and maistered by women a' the days o' my life?
human
And whase man wad ye be? And wha wad ye hae to maister ye but me, Cuddie, lad? answered Jenny.
gpt
I'll gar ye comprehend in the making of a hay-band. Naebody kens that this young gentleman is living but oursells; and frae that he keeps himsell up sae close, I am judging that he's purposing, if he fand Miss Edith either married, or just gaun to be married, he wad just slide awa easy, and gie them nae mair trouble. But if Miss Edith kend that he was living, and if she were standing before the very minister wi' Lord Evandale when it was tauld to her, I'se warrant she wad say No when she suld say Yes.
human
Weel, replied Cuddie,
gpt
Halliday's a liar, and ye're naething but a gomeril to hearken till him, Cuddie. And then for this leddy's choice, lack-a-day! ye may be sure a' the gowd Mr. Morton has is on the outside o' his coat; and how can he keep Leddy Margaret and the young leddy?
human
Isna there Milnwood? said Cuddie.
gpt
Nae doubt the auld laird left his housekeeper the liferent, as he heard nought o' his nephew; but it's but speaking the auld wife fair, and they may a' live brawly thegither, Leddy Margaret and a'.
human
Rout tout, lad, replied Jenny;
gpt
That wad sort ill wi' the auld leddy, to be sure, said Cuddie;
human
Then sic a flyting as there wad be between them, a' about Whig and Tory,
gpt
To be sure, said Cuddie,
human
And then, Cuddie, continued his helpmate, who had reserved her strongest argument to the last,
gpt
Weel, woman, canna ye tell us what we suld do, without a' this din about it?
human
Just do naething at a', said Jenny.
gpt
Never seem to ken onything about this gentleman, and for your life say a word that he suld hae been here, or up at the house! An I had kend, I wad hae gien him my ain bed, and sleepit in the byre or he had gane up by; but it canna be helpit now. The neist thing's to get him cannily awa the morn, and I judge he'll be in nae hurry to come back again.
human
My puir maister! said Cuddie;
gpt
For your life, no, said Jenny.
human
Ye're no obliged to ken him; and I wadna hae tauld ye, only I feared ye wad ken him in the morning.
gpt
Aweel, said Cuddie, sighing heavily,
human
I 'se awa to pleugh the outfield then; for if I am no to speak to him, I wad rather be out o' the gate.
gpt
Ane wad think it's true, quoth Cuddie;
human
he continued, as he undressed and tumbled himself into bed;
gpt
he murmured in continuation, as he stowed the blankets around his person,
human
And amna I the best guide ye ever had in a' your life?