And there is thy sick wife, and three bonnie bit bairns." "Did Isabel tell you this ?" "How can she help complaining?
She is vera ill, and she sees little o' thee, David, she says." "Yes, she is ill.

She took cold at Provost Allison's ball, and she has dwined away ever since.

That is true.

And the house is neglected and the servants do their own will both with it and the poor children.

I have been very wretched, Uncle John, lately, and I am afraid I have drunk more than I ought to have done.