Ye see, we war long married afore we had a bairn, an' though I couldna bear ony other weight on me, Joey didna hurt me, somehoo.

I liked to hae 'im so close to me.
"It was through that 'at he came to bury my staff.

I couldna help often thinkin' o' what like the hoose would be when I was gone, an' aboot Leeby an' Joey left so young.

So, when I could say it without greetin', I said to Joey 'at I was goin' far awa, an' would he be a terrible guid laddie to his father and Leeby when I was gone?
He aye juist said, 'Dinna gang, mother, dinna gang,' but one day Hendry came in frae his loom, and says Joey, 'Father, whaur's my mother gaen to, awa frae uset.' I 'll never forget Hendry's face.

His mooth juist opened an' shut twa or three times, an' he walked quick ben to the room.