But distance had made Annie dearer; and her aunt's nose took fire with indignation, as she replied: "The lassie's weel eneuch.

_I_ saw naething o' the sort aboot her.

Gin ye canna guide her, that's _your_ wyte." Bruce was abashed, but not confounded.

He was ready in a moment.
"I never kent ony guid come o' bein' ower sair upo' bairns," said he.
"She's as easy guidit as a coo gaein' hame at nicht, only ye maun jist lat her ken that ye're there, ye ken." "Ow! ay," said Marget, a little nonplussed in her turn.
"Wad ye like to see her ?" "What ither did I come for ?" "Weel, I s' gang and luik for her." He went to the back door, and called aloud: "Annie, yer auntie's here and wants to see ye." "She'll be here in a minute," he said to Marget, as he re-entered the shop.
After a little more desultory conversation, he pretended to be surprised that she she did not make her appearance, and going once more to the door, called her name several times.

He then pretended to search for her in the garden and all over the house, and returned with the news that she was nowhere to be seen.
"She's feared that ye're come to tak her wi' ye, and she's run awa oot aboot some gait.