I have made a steel doublet for him, and have a good guess at the kind of heart that it was meant to cover." "Surely," said Bailie Craigdallie, "it would be to no purpose to stir at court without Sir Patrick Charteris's countenance: the ready answer would be, 'Go to your provost, you borrel loons.' So, neighbours and townsmen, if you will stand by my side, I and our pottingar Dwining will repair presently to Kinfauns, with Sim Glover, the jolly smith, and gallant Oliver Proudfute, for witnesses to the onslaught, and speak with Sir Patrick Charteris, in name of the fair town." "Nay," said the peaceful man of medicine, "leave me behind, I pray you: I lack audacity to speak before a belted knight." "Never regard that, neighbour, you must go," said Bailie Craigdallie.
"The town hold me a hot headed carle for a man of threescore; Sim Glover is the offended party; we all know that Harry Gow spoils more harness with his sword than he makes with his hammer and our neighbour Proudfute, who, take his own word, is at the beginning and end of every fray in Perth, is of course a man of action.

We must have at least one advocate amongst us for peace and quietness; and thou, pottingar, must be the man.

Away with you, sirs, get your boots and your beasts--horse and hattock, I say, and let us meet at the East Port; that is, if it is your pleasure, neighbours, to trust us with the matter." "There can be no better rede, and we will all avouch it," said the citizens.

"If the provost take our part, as the Fair Town hath a right to expect, we may bell the cat with the best of them." "It is well, then, neighbours," answered the bailie; "so said, so shall be done.

Meanwhile, I have called the whole town council together about this hour, and I have little doubt," looking around the company, "that, as so many of them who are in this place have resolved to consult with our provost, the rest will be compliant to the same resolution.