Henders must be neighbourly.

A plate of broth, now--or, say, twopence.

But Henders was obdurate.
"I'se nae time to argy-bargy wi' ye, Davit.

Gin ye're no willin' to say saxpence, I'm aff to Will'um Pyatt's.

He's buried too." So the victim had to make up his mind to one of two things; he must either say saxpence or remain where he was.
If Henders was "promised," he took good care that no snowed-up inhabitant should perjure himself.