‘’Deed, I can do onything.’
‘Well, there’s some spade and barrow work going on; you can begin on that.’
‘Ach, but I wadna just like to be workin’ wi’ a spade and a wheelbarrow.’
‘O, would you not? Then yonder’s some rock that needs to be broken away. Can you wield a pick?’
‘I wass never usin’ a pick, whatefer.’
‘Well, my man, I don’t know anything I can give you to do.’
LIGHT LABOUR
So Donald went away crestfallen. But being of an observing turn of mind, he walked along the rails, noting the work of each gang of labourers, until he came to a signal-box, wherein he saw a man seated, who came out now and then, waved a flag, and then resumed his seat. This appeared to Donald to be an occupation entirely after his own heart. He made enquiry of the man, ascertained his hours and his rate of pay, and returned to the contractor, who, when he saw him, good-naturedly asked:
‘What, back again, Donald? Have you found out what you can do?’
‘’Deed, I have, sir. I would just like to get auchteen shullins a week, and to do that’—holding out his arm and gently waving the stick he had in his hand.