"That you and Maggie are to be married?"
"The answer is in the affirmative," I said pompously.
Janet's face fell.
"Eh, if Aw had that Jim Jackson! He telt us that he was to be yer best man!"
"He was aye a big leer!" cried Ellen, then she saw that I was smiling.
"It's true after a'!" she cried.
"Yes," I said, "it's true, bairns," but to my surprise they rushed off and left me. I understood their action when I turned to look; they had seen Margaret emerge from the kitchen door. Poor Margaret! The whole crowd of them insisted on pinching her arms for luck. They seemed to have forgotten my existence; then suddenly they all came running towards me.
"Let me tell 'im, Jan!" I heard Annie cry, but Jan tore herself from restraining arms and was first to come up.
"The Mester's gotten a little baby!" cried Janet.
"Janet's wrang!" cried Annie; "it's no the Mester: it's his wife!"