WILLIE’S FATAL VISIT
The Text is taken from Buchan’s Ballads of the North of Scotland. It consists largely of familiar fragments. Stanzas 9-11 can be found in The Grey Cock.
The Story is a trivial piece in Buchan’s usual style; but the smiling ghost, which is female (17.1), is a delightful novelty. She assumes the position of guardian of Willie’s morals, then tears him in pieces, and hangs a piece on every seat in the church, and his head over Meggie’s pew!