It would be a favour if ye could gie me a bad character." This beat me, and, I daresay, my face showed it.
"I'm no' juist what ye would call anxious to marry Mag noo," said Gavin, without a tremor.
I told him to go on.
"There's a lassie oot at Craigiebuckle," he explained, "workin' on the farm--Jeanie Luke by name.

Ye may ha'e seen her ?" "What of her ?" I asked, severely.
"Weel," said Gavin, still unabashed, "I'm thinkin' noo 'at I would rather ha'e her." Then he stated his case more fully.
"Ay, I thocht I liked Mag oncommon till I saw Jeanie, an' I like her fine yet, but I prefer the other ane.

That state o' matters canna gang on for ever, so I came into Thrums the day to settle 't one wy or another." "And how," I asked, "do you propose going about it?
It is a somewhat delicate business." "Ou, I see nae great difficulty in 't.

I'll speir at Mag, blunt oot, if she'll let me aff.

Yes, I'll put it to her plain." "You're sure Jeanie would take you ?" "Ay; oh, there's nae fear o' that." "But if Mag keeps you to your bargain ?" "Weel, in that case there's nae harm done." "You are in a great hurry, Gavin ?" "Ye may say that; but I want to be married.