"John Blower, when he was a wee bit in the wind's eye, as he ca'd it, puir fallow--used to sing a sang about a dog they ca'd Bingo, that suld hae belanged to a farmer." "Our Bingo is but a puppy yet, madam--or if a dog, he is a sad dog," said Mr.Winterblossom, applauding his own wit, by one of his own inimitable smiles.
"Or a mad dog, rather," said Mr.Chatterly, "for he drinks no water;" and he also smiled gracefully at the thoughts of having trumped, as it were, the president's pun.
"Twa pleasant men, Doctor," said the widow, "and so is Sir Bungy too, for that matter; but O! is nae it a pity he should bide sae lang by the bottle?
It was puir John Blower's faut too, that weary tippling; when he wan to the lee-side of a bowl of punch, there was nae raising him .-- But they are taking awa the things, and, Doctor, is it not an awfu' thing that the creature-comforts should hae been used without grace or thanksgiving ?--that Mr.Chitterling, if he really be a minister, has muckle to answer for, that he neglects his Master's service." "Why, madam," said the Doctor, "Mr.Chatterly is scarce arrived at the rank of a minister plenipotentiary." "A minister potentiary--ah, Doctor, I doubt that is some jest of yours," said the widow; "that's sae like puir John Blower.

When I wad hae had him gie up the lovely Peggy, ship and cargo, (the vessel was named after me, Doctor Kittleben,) to be remembered in the prayers o' the congregation, he wad say to me, 'they may pray that stand the risk, Peggy Bryce, for I've made insurance.' He was a merry man, Doctor; but he had the root of the matter in him, for a' his light way of speaking, as deep as ony skipper that ever loosed anchor from Leith Roads.

I hae been a forsaken creature since his death--O the weary days and nights that I have had!--and the weight on the spirits--the spirits, Doctor!--though I canna say I hae been easier since I hae been at the Wall than even now--if I kend what I was awing ye for elickstir, Doctor, for it's done me muckle heart's good, forby the opening of my mind to you." "Fie, fie, ma'am," said the Doctor, as the widow pulled out a seal-skin pouch, such as sailors carry tobacco in, but apparently well stuffed with bank-notes,--"Fie, fie, madam--I am no apothecary--I have my diploma from Leyden--a regular physician, madam,--the elixir is heartily at your service; and should you want any advice, no man will be prouder to assist you than your humble servant." "I am sure I am muckle obliged to your kindness, Dr.Kickalpin," said the widow, folding up her pouch; "this was puir John Blower's _spleuchan_,[I-16] as they ca' it--I e'en wear it for his sake.

He was a kind man, and left me comfortable in warld's gudes; but comforts hae their cumbers,--to be a lone woman is a sair weird, Dr.Kittlepin." Dr.Quackleben drew his chair a little nearer that of the widow, and entered into a closer communication with her, in a tone doubtless of more delicate consolation than was fit for the ears of the company at large.
One of the chief delights of a watering-place is, that every one's affairs seem to be put under the special surveillance of the whole company, so that, in all probability, the various flirtations, _liaisons_, and so forth, which naturally take place in the society, are not only the subject of amusement to the parties engaged, but also to the lookers on; that is to say, generally speaking, to the whole community, of which for the time the said parties are members.

Lady Penelope, the presiding goddess of the region, watchful over all her circle, was not long of observing that the Doctor seemed to be suddenly engaged in close communication with the widow, and that he had even ventured to take hold of her fair plump hand, with a manner which partook at once of the gallant suitor, and of the medical adviser.
"For the love of Heaven," said her ladyship, "who can that comely dame be, on whom our excellent and learned Doctor looks with such uncommon regard ?" "Fat, fair, and forty," said Mr.Winterblossom; "that is all I know of her--a mercantile person." "A carrack, Sir President," said the chaplain, "richly laden with colonial produce, by name the Lovely Peggy Bryce--no master--the late John Blower of North Leith having pushed off his boat for the Stygian Creek, and left the vessel without a hand on board." "The Doctor," said Lady Penelope, turning her glass towards them, "seems willing to play the part of pilot." "I dare say he will be willing to change her name and register," said Mr.Chatterly.
"He can be no less in common requital," said Winterblossom.