It was a moment of heavenly hope; but I saw Jamie Coom, the blacksmith, who I aye jealoused was my rival, coming down to the well.

I saw her give him one of the apples; and hearing him say, with a loud gaffaw, "Where is the tailor ?" I took to my heels, and never stopped till I found myself on the little stool by the fireside, and the hamely sound of my mother's wheel bum-bumming in my lug, like a gentle lullaby.
Every noise I heard flustered me, but I calmed in time, though I went to my bed without my supper.

When I was driving out the gaislings to the grass on the next morn, who was it my ill fate to meet but the blacksmith.

"Ou, Mansie," said Jamie Coom, "are ye gaun to take me for your best-man?
I hear you are to be cried in the kirk on Sunday ?" "Me!" answered I, shaking and staring.
"Yes!" said he; "Jess the minister's maid told me last night, that you had been giving up your name at the manse.

Ay, it's ower true--for she showed me the apples ye gied her in a present.