"Fare ye well, my dear!" said I to her, "you will be a widow in five minutes--for here goes!" I did not think she could have mustered so much courage, but she sprang at me like a tiger; and, throwing the razor into the ass-hole, took me round the neck, and cried like a bairn.

First she was seized with a fit of the hystericks, and then with her pains.

It was a serious time for us both, and no joke; for my heart smote me for my sin and cruelty.

But I did my best to make up for it.

I ran up and down like mad for the Howdie, and at last brought her trotting along with me by the lug.