To-day I told Senior II. to write up the following story, I advised them to add graces to it if they could.
"A farmer went to Edinburgh for the day. He was walking down the High Street with open mouth when the fire engine came swinging round the corner. The farmer gave chase down the North Bridge and Leith Street, and owing to the heavy traffic the engine's rate was so slow that he could easily keep up with it. But it turned down London Road, and in the long silent street soon outdistanced him. He ran until he saw that it was hopeless. Then he stopped and held up a clenched fist.
"Ye can keep yer dawmed tattie-chips," he cried, "Aw'll get them some other place."
Mary Peters began thus:—
"Mr. Peter Mitchell went to Edinburgh for the day...."
Mr. Peter Mitchell is Chairman of the School Board.
* * *
Why did I substitute "auld" for "dawmed" tattie-chips when I told the bairns the story. Art demands the "dawmed." I think I substituted the "auld" because I like a quiet life. I have no time to persuade indignant parents that "damn" is not a sin. But it was weakness on my part; I compromised, and compromise is always a lie.