She merely smiled, and said that the men haver most terrible when they are not at their work.
Hendry tried Jess sorely over the cloaks, and a time came when, only by exasperating her, could he get her to reply to his sallies.
"Wha wants an eleven an' a bit ?" she retorted now and again.
"It's you 'at wants it," said Hendry, promptly.
"Did I ever say I wanted ane?
What use could I hae for't ?" "That's the queistion," said Hendry.

"Ye canna gang the length o' the door, so ye would never be able to wear't." "Ay, weel," replied Jess, "I'll never hae the chance o' no bein' able to wear't, for, hooever muckle I wanted it, I couldna get it." Jess's infatuation had in time the effect of making Hendry uncomfortable.

In the attic he delivered himself of such sentiments as these: "There's nae understandin' a woman.

There's Jess 'at hasna her equal for cleverness in Thrums, man or woman, an' yet she's fair skeered about thae cloaks.

Aince a woman sets her mind on something to wear, she's mair onreasonable than the stupidest man.