"An' it wad set me to waur't (PUZZLE ME TO SPEND IT) better to my ain min' nor servin' yersel', i' the sma'est, sir." The laird thanked him, and sat down.

Cosmo placed himself on a stool beside him.
"I hae naething upo' han' the day," Jeames Merson went on, "but a watch o' Jeames Gracie's, up at the Know--ane o' yer ain fowk, laird.

He tells me it was your gran'father, sir, gied it til his gran'father.

It's a queer auld-fashiont kin' o' a thing--some complicat; an'whiles it's 'maist ower muckle for me.

Ye see auld age is aboot the warst disease horses an' watches can be ta'en wi': there's sae little left to come an' gang upo'!" While the homely assayer thus spoke, he was making his preparations.
"What for no men as weel's horses an' watches ?" suggested the laird.
"I wadna meddle wi' men.