I ken it by the shaft's bein' spliced wi' yarn.
Davit broke the shaft at the saw-mill." "He'll be gaen awa for a curran (number of) days," said Jess, "or he would juist hae taen his bag.

Ay, he'll be awa to Edinbory, to see the lass." "I wonder wha'll be to preach the morn--tod, it'll likely be Mr.
Skinner, frae Dundee; him an' the minister's chief, ye ken." "Ye micht' gang up to the attic, Leeby, an' see if the spare bedroom vent (chimney) at the manse is gaen.

We're sure, if it's Mr.Skinner, he'll come wi' the post frae Tilliedrum the nicht, an' sleep at the manse." "Weel, I assure ye," said Leeby, descending from the attic, "it'll no be Mr.Skinner, for no only is the spare bedroom vent no gaen, but the blind's drawn doon frae tap to fut, so they're no even airin' the room.
Na, it canna be him; an' what's mair, it'll be naebody 'at's to bide a' nicht at the manse." "I wouldna say that; na, na.

It may only be a student; an' Marget Dundas" (the minister's mother and housekeeper) "michtna think it necessary to put on a fire for him." "Tod, I'll tell ye wha it'll be.

I wonder I didna think o' 'im sooner.
It'll be the lad Wilkie; him 'at's mither mairit on Sam'l Duthie's wife's brither.