At the hinder end, and a bit feared as was but natural, he lifted the hasp and into the manse; and there was Janet M'Clour before his een, wi' her thrawn craig, and nane sae pleased to see him.

And he aye minded sinsyne, when first he set his een upon her, he had the same cauld and deidly grue.
'Janet,' says he, 'have you seen a black man ?' 'A black man ?' quo' she.

'Save us a'! Ye're no wise, minister.

There's nae black man in a Ba'weary.' But she didnae speak plain, ye maun understand; but yam-yammered, like a powney wi' the bit in its moo.
'Weel,' says he, 'Janet, if there was nae black man, I have spoken with the Accuser of the Brethren.' And he sat down like ane wi' a fever, an' his teeth chittered in his heid.
'Hoots,' says she, 'think shame to yoursel', minister;' an' gied him a drap brandy that she keept aye by her.
Syne Mr.Soulis gaed into his study amang a' his books.

It's a lang, laigh, mirk chalmer, perishin' cauld in winter, an' no very dry even in the tap o' the simmer, for the manse stands near the burn.