The last time I was at quarter-sessions the sheriff told us that DIES--that dies inceptus--in short, you don't understand Latin, but it means that a term-day is not begun till it's ended.' 'That sounds like nonsense, my dear.' 'May be so, my dear; but it may be very good law for all that.

I am sure, speaking of term-days, I wish, as Frank Kennedy says, that Whitsunday would kill Martinmas and be hanged for the murder; for there I have got a letter about that interest of Jenny Cairns's, and deil a tenant's been at the Place yet wi' a boddle of rent, nor will not till Candlemas.

But, speaking of Frank Kennedy, I daresay he'll be here the day, for he was away round to Wigton to warn a king's ship that's lying in the bay about Dirk Hatteraick's lugger being on the coast again, and he'll be back this day; so we'll have a bottle of claret and drink little Harry's health.' 'I wish,' replied the lady, 'Frank Kennedy would let Dirk Hatteraick alane.

What needs he make himself mair busy than other folk?
Cannot he sing his sang, and take his drink, and draw his salary, like Collector Snail, honest man, that never fashes ony body?
And I wonder at you, Laird, for meddling and making.

Did we ever want to send for tea or brandy frae the borough-town when Dirk Hatteraick used to come quietly into the bay ?' 'Mrs.Bertram, you know nothing of these matters.