'I began with an up-the-stair, but I always had it in my mind--I never mentioned it, but there it was--to have the down-the-stair as well.

Ay, and I've had it this many a year.' 'Still, there is no denying that Jess had the same ambition.' 'She had, but to her two-roomed house she had to stick all her born days.
Was that like me ?' 'No, but she wanted--' 'She wanted, and I wanted, but I got and she didna.

That's the difference betwixt her and me.' 'If that is all the difference, it is little credit I can claim for having created her.' My mother sees that I need soothing.

'That is far from being all the difference,' she would say eagerly.

'There's my silk, for instance.
Though I say it mysel, there's not a better silk in the valley of Strathmore.