Saturn, in fact, would be scarce more surprised at a passing call from the Sun, than Mr.Bindloose at this unexpected visit of his old client.

In one breath he rebuked the inquisitive impertinence of his clerks, in another stimulated his housekeeper, old Hannah--for Mr.
Bindloose was a bluff bachelor--to get tea ready in the green parlour; and while yet speaking, was at the side of the whiskey, unclasping the curtains, rolling down the apron, and assisting his old friend to dismount.
"The japanned tea-caddie, Hannah--the best bohea--bid Tib kindle a spark of fire--the morning's damp--Draw in the giggling faces of ye, ye d----d idle scoundrels, or laugh at your ain toom pouches--it will be lang or your weeldoing fill them." This was spoken, as the honest lawyer himself might have said, _in transitu_, the rest by the side of the carriage.
"My stars, Mrs.Dods, and is this really your ain sell, _in propria persona_ ?--Wha lookit for you at such a time of day ?--Anthony, how's a' wi' ye, Anthony ?--so ye hae taen the road again, Anthony--help us down wi' the apron, Anthony--that will do .-- Lean on me, Mrs.Dods--help your mistress, Anthony--put the horses in my stable--the lads will give you the key .-- Come away, Mrs.Dods--I am blithe to see you straight your legs on the causeway of our auld borough again--come in by, and we'll see to get you some breakfast, for ye hae been asteer early this morning." "I am a sair trouble to you, Mr.Bindloose," said the old lady, accepting the offer of his arm, and accompanying him into the house; "I am e'en a sair trouble to you, but I could not rest till I had your advice on something of moment." "Happy will I be to serve you, my gude auld acquaintance," said the Clerk; "but sit you down--sit you down--sit you down, Mrs.Dods--meat and mess never hindered wark.

Ye are something overcome wi' your travel--the spirit canna aye bear through the flesh, Mrs.Dods; ye should remember that your life is a precious one, and ye should take care of your health, Mrs.Dods." "My life precious!" exclaimed Meg Dods; "nane o' your whullywhaing, Mr.
Bindloose--Deil ane wad miss the auld girning alewife, Mr.Bindloose, unless it were here and there a puir body, and maybe the auld house-tyke, that wadna be sae weel guided, puir fallow." "Fie, fie! Mrs.Dods," said the Clerk, in a tone of friendly rebuke; "it vexes an auld friend to hear ye speak of yourself in that respectless sort of a way; and, as for quitting us, I bless God I have not seen you look better this half score of years.

But maybe you will be thinking of setting your house in order, which is the act of a carefu' and of a Christian woman--O! it's an awfu' thing to die intestate, if we had grace to consider it." "Aweel, I daur say I'll consider that some day soon, Mr.Bindloose; but that's no my present errand." "Be it what it like, Mrs.Dods, ye are right heartily welcome here, and we have a' the day to speak of the business in hand--_festina lente_, that is the true law language--hooly and fairly, as one may say--ill treating of business with an empty stomach--and here comes your tea, and I hope Hannah has made it to your taste." Meg sipped her tea--confessed Hannah's skill in the mysteries of the Chinese herb--sipped again, then tried to eat a bit of bread and butter, with very indifferent success; and notwithstanding the lawyer's compliments to her good looks, seemed in reality, on the point of becoming ill.
"In the deil's name, what is the matter!" said the lawyer, too well read in a profession where sharp observation is peculiarly necessary, to suffer these symptoms of agitation to escape him.

"Ay, dame?
ye are taking this business of yours deeper to heart than ever I kend you take ony thing.