Better death.

Yes, mother would have taken her two boys, one under each arm, and perished with them rather than they should mingle with low company in their extreme youth.
As I look back upon the early struggles this can be said: there was not a prouder family in the land.

A keen sense of honor, independence, self-respect, pervaded the household.

Walter Scott said of Burns that he had the most extraordinary eye he ever saw in a human being.

I can say as much for my mother.