"Noo aboot the dinner o' they twa turtle-doves in the parlor ?" he continued, directing his attention to the dinner tray.

"I maun joost see that the cook's 's dune her duty--the creatures are no' capable o' decidin' that knotty point for their ain selves." He took off one of the covers, and picked bits, here and there, out of the dish with the fork, "Eh! eh! the collops are no' that bad!" He took off another cover, and shook his head in solemn doubt.

"Here's the green meat.

I doot green meat's windy diet for a man at my time o' life!" He put the cover on again, and tried the next dish.

"The fesh?
What the de'il does the woman fry the trout for?
Boil it next time, ye betch, wi' a pinch o' saut and a spunefu' o' vinegar." He drew the cork from a bottle of sherry, and decanted the wine.