This is a bonny story, Mansie, my man, and you only at your prenticeship yet." Terror and despair had struck me dumb.

I stood as still and as stiff as a web of buckram.

My tongue was tied, and I could not contradict him.
Jamie folded his arms, and went away whistling, turning every now and then his sooty face over his shoulder, and mostly sticking his tune, as he could not keep his mouth screwed for laughing.

What would I not have given to have laughed too! There was no time to be lost: this was the Saturday.

The next rising sun would shine on the Sabbath.