But all the answer made by the offended Boaty was, "Na na; them 'at drink by themsells may just fish by themsells." The charge these old domestics used to take of the interests of the family, and the cool way in which they took upon them to protect those interests, sometimes led to very provoking, and sometimes to very ludicrous, exhibitions of importance.

A friend told me of a dinner scene illustrative of this sort of interference which had happened at Airth in the last generation.

Mrs.Murray, of Abercairney, had been amongst the guests, and at dinner one of the family noticed that she was looking for the proper spoon to help herself with salt.

The old servant, Thomas, was appealed to, that the want might be supplied.

He did not notice the appeal.