My faither was a consistent man in walk and conversation; just let slip an aith, and there was the door to ye! He had that zeal for the Lord, it was a fair wonder to hear him pray, but the family has aye had a gift that way." This father was twice married, once to a dark woman of the old Ellwald stock, by whom he had Gilbert, presently of Cauldstaneslap; and, secondly, to the mother of Kirstie.

"He was an auld man when he married her, a fell auld man wi' a muckle voice--you could hear him rowting from the top o' the Kye-skairs," she said; "but for her, it appears she was a perfit wonder.

It was gentle blood she had, Mr.Archie, for it was your ain.
The country-side gaed gyte about her and her gowden hair.

Mines is no to be mentioned wi' it, and there's few weemen has mair hair than what I have, or yet a bonnier colour.

Often would I tell my dear Miss Jeannie--that was your mother, dear, she was cruel ta'en up about her hair, it was unco' tender, ye see--'Houts, Miss Jeannie,' I would say, 'just fling your washes and your French dentifrishes in the back o' the fire, for that's the place for them; and awa' down to a burn side, and wash yersel' in cauld hill water, and dry your bonny hair in the caller wind o' the muirs, the way that my mother aye washed hers, and that I have aye made it a practice to have wishen mines--just you do what I tell ye, my dear, and ye'll give me news of it! Ye'll have hair, and routh of hair, a pigtail as thick's my arm,' I said, 'and the bonniest colour like the clear gowden guineas, so as the lads in kirk'll no can keep their eyes off it!' Weel, it lasted out her time, puir thing! I cuttit a lock of it upon her corp that was lying there sae cauld.