There's no a hair on ayther o' the Weirs that hasna mair spunk and dirdum to it than what he has in his hale dwaibly body! Settin' up his snash to me! Let him gang to the black toon where he's mebbe wantit--birling in a curricle--wi' pimatum on his heid--making a mess o' himsel' wi' nesty hizzies--a fair disgrace!" It was impossible to hear without admiration Kirstie's graduated disgust, as she brought forth, one after another, these somewhat baseless charges.
Then she remembered her immediate purpose, and turned again on her fascinated auditor.

"Do ye no hear me, tawpie?
Do ye no hear what I'm tellin' ye?
Will I have to shoo ye in to him?
If I come to attend to ye, mistress!" And the maid fled the kitchen, which had become practically dangerous, to attend on Innes' wants in the front parlour.
_Tantaene irae_?
Has the reader perceived the reason?
Since Frank's coming there were no more hours of gossip over the supper tray! All his blandishments were in vain; he had started handicapped on the race for Mrs.Elliott's favour.
But it was a strange thing how misfortune dogged him in his efforts to be genial.

I must guard the reader against accepting Kirstie's epithets as evidence; she was more concerned for their vigour than for their accuracy.

Dwaibly, for instance; nothing could be more calumnious.
Frank was the very picture of good looks, good humour, and manly youth.
He had bright eyes with a sparkle and a dance to them, curly hair, a charming smile, brilliant teeth, an admirable carriage of the head, the look of a gentleman, the address of one accustomed to please at first sight and to improve the impression.

And with all these advantages, he failed with every one about Hermiston; with the silent shepherd, with the obsequious grieve, with the groom who was also the ploughman, with the gardener and the gardener's sister--a pious, down-hearted woman with a shawl over her ears--he failed equally and flatly.