The finger of Heaven," she said, "was in it, and her bairn should gang on nae sic errands." Pains, penalties, and threats of dismission, were denounced in vain; the mother was obstinate, and Cuddie, who underwent a domiciliary visitation for the purpose of verifying his state of body, could, or would, answer only by deep groans.

Mause, who had been an ancient domestic in the family, was a sort of favourite with Lady Margaret, and presumed accordingly.

Lady Margaret had herself set forth, and her authority could not be appealed to.

In this dilemma, the good genius of the old butler suggested an expedient.
"He had seen mony a braw callant, far less than Guse Gibbie, fight brawly under Montrose.

What for no tak Guse Gibbie ?" This was a half-witted lad, of very small stature, who had a kind of charge of the poultry under the old henwife; for in a Scottish family of that day there was a wonderful substitution of labour.