"It must be nice livin' in a plyce w'ere everyone knows everyone else. My sister Sally's married to a pynter in Dundee, Peter Macnab; do you know 'im?"
I explained that Peter and I were almost bosom friends. Then she asked me whether I knew what his wage was. I explained that I did not know. She then told me how much he gave Sally to keep house with, and I began to regret my temerity in claiming a close acquaintance with the erring Peter. Mrs. Lewis at once began to recount the family history of the Macnabs, and I blushed for the company I kept.
I decided to disown Peter.
"Perhaps he'll behave better now that he has gone to Glasgow," I remarked.
"But he ain't gone to Glasgow!" she exclaimed.
I looked thoughtful.
"Ah!" I cried, "I've been thinking of the other Peter Macnab, the painter in Lochee."
"Sally's 'usband lives in a plyce called Magdalen Green."
"Ah! I understand now, Mrs. Lewis. I've met that one too; you're quite right about his character."