He has mair sense than to ca' anything about the bigging his ain, frae the rooftree down to a crackit trencher on the bink.

He kens weel eneugh wha feeds him, and cleeds him, and keeps a' tight, thack and rape, when his coble is jowing awa in the Firth, puir fallow.

Na, na, lass!--them that sell the goods guide the purse--them that guide the purse rule the house.

Show me ane o' yer bits o' farmer-bodies that wad let their wife drive the stock to the market, and ca' in the debts.

Na, na." "Aweel, aweel, Maggie, ilka land has its ain lauch--But where's Steenie the night, when a's come and gane?
And where's the gudeman ?"* * Note G.Gynecocracy.
"I hae putten the gudeman to his bed, for he was e'en sair forfain; and Steenie's awa out about some barns-breaking wi' the auld gaberlunzie, Edie Ochiltree: they'll be in sune, and ye can sit doun." "Troth, gudewife" (taking a seat), "I haena that muckle time to stop--but I maun tell ye about the news.