There was an uncle o' min' ain--' 'Haud yer tongue, Betty! Ye hae ower muckle to say for a' the sense there's intil 't.' 'Weel, mem, ye speirt questions at me.' 'Weel, I hae had eneuch o' yer answers, Betty.

Gang and tell Robert to come here direckly.' Betty went, knowing perfectly that Robert had gone out, and returned with the information.

Her mistress searched her face with a keen eye.
'That maun hae been himsel' efter a' whan ye thocht ye hard the door gang,' said Betty.
'It's a strange thing that I suld hear him benn here wi' the door steekit, an' your door open at the verra door-cheek o' the ither, an' you no hear him, Betty.

And me sae deif as weel!' ''Deed, mem,' retorted Betty, losing her temper a little, 'I can be as deif 's ither fowk mysel' whiles.' When Betty grew angry, Mrs.Falconer invariably grew calm, or, at least, put her temper out of sight.

She was silent now, and continued silent till Betty moved to return to her kitchen, when she said, in a tone of one who had just arrived at an important resolution: 'Betty, we'll jist awa' up the stair an' luik.' 'Weel, mem, I hae nae objections.' 'Nae objections! What for suld you or ony ither body hae ony objections to me gaein' whaur I like i' my ain hoose?
Umph!' exclaimed Mrs.
Falconer, turning and facing her maid.
'In coorse, mem.