'Anything more, my friend ?' 'Only, sir, about the succession of this leddy that's dead, auld Miss Margaret Bertram o' Singleside.' 'Ay, what about her ?' said the counsellor, rather surprised.
'Ou, we have nae connexion at a' wi' the Bertrams,' said Dandie; 'they were grand folk by the like o' us; but Jean Liltup, that was auld Singleside's housekeeper, and the mother of these twa young ladies that are gane--the last o' them's dead at a ripe age, I trow--Jean Liltup came out o' Liddel water, and she was as near our connexion as second cousin to my mother's half-sister.

She drew up wi' Singleside, nae doubt, when she was his housekeeper, and it was a sair vex and grief to a' her kith and kin.

But he acknowledged a marriage, and satisfied the kirk; and now I wad ken frae you if we hae not some claim by law ?' 'Not the shadow of a claim.' 'Aweel, we're nae puirer,' said Dandie; 'but she may hae thought on us if she was minded to make a testament.

Weel, sir, I've said my say; I'se e'en wish you good-night, and--' putting his hand in his pocket.
'No, no, my friend; I never take fees on Saturday nights, or without a memorial.

Away with you, Dandie.' And Dandie made his reverence and departed accordingly..