"And when he's made it, he knows better how to use it." "'Appen so, an' a'!--What does he do, more than eat and drink and work ?--an' take it out of hisself a sight harder than I do, by th' looks of him .-- What's it matter, if he eats a bit more or drinks a bit more--" "No," reiterated the landlady.

"He not only eats and drinks.

He can read, and he can converse." "Me an' a'," said Tom Kirk, and the men burst into a laugh.

"I can read--an' I've had many a talk an' conversation with you in this house, Mrs.Houseley--am havin' one at this minute, seemingly." "SEEMINGLY, you are," said the landlady ironically.

"But do you think there would be no difference between your conversation, and Mr.
Pender's, if he were here so that I could enjoy his conversation ?" "An' what difference would there be ?" asked Tom Kirk.