“I know that. Christina, I have been this day to Edinburgh, and I have brought home from the bank six hundred pounds.”
“Six hundred pounds, Andrew! It is not believable.”
“Whist, woman! I have six hundred pounds in my breast pocket, and I have siller in the house beside. I have sold my share in the Sure-Giver,’ and I have been saving money ever since I put on my first sea-boots.”
“I have always thought that saving money was your great fault, Andrew.”
“I know. I know it myself only too well. Many’s the Sabbath day I have been only a bawbee Christian, when I ought to have put a shilling in the plate. But I just could not help it.”
“Yes, you could.”
“Tell me how, then.”
“Just try and believe that you are putting your collection into the hand of God Almighty, and not into a siller plate. Then you will put the shilling down and not the bawbee.”
“Perhaps. The thought is not a new one to me, and often I have forced myself to give a white shilling instead of a penny-bit at the kirk door, just to get the better of the de’il once in a while. But for all that I know right well that saving siller is my besetting sin. However, I have been saving for a purpose, and now I am most ready to take the desire of my heart.”
“It is a good desire; I am sure of that, Andrew.”