“Oh, how clever, how good! Pray, Mr. Howie, tell Lady Janet—tell Mr. Cashel that.”
“Oh, madam!” cried the terrified tourist, who had not discovered before the very shallow discrimination of his gifted acquaintance.
“If it is so vara good,” said Sir Andrew, “we maun insist on hearin' it.”
“No, no! nothing of the kind,” interposed Howie; “besides, the observation was only intended for Mrs. White's ear.”
“Very true,” said that lady, affecting a look of consciousness.
“The odious woman,” whispered Miss Kennyfeck to her sister; “see how delighted she looks to be compromised.”
“If we had Linton,” said Cashel, politely offering his arm to Lady Janet, as he led her into the so-called gallery, “he could explain everything for us. We have, however, a kind of catalogue here. This large landscape is said to be by Both.”
“If she be a coo,” said Sir Andrew, “I maun say it's the first time I ever seen ane wi' the head ower the tail.”
“Nonsense,” said Lady Janet; “don't ye perceive that the animal is fore-shortened, and is represented looking backwards?”
“I ken nothing aboot that; she may be shortened in the fore-parts, an' ye say, and that may be some peculiar breed, but what brings her head ower her rump?”