"I'll put the proof o' that same into yer han's, or I'm sair mista'en," said Mr Cupples.
"You, Mr Cupples?"
"Ay, me, Mr Crann. But maybe ye wadna tak proof frae sic a sinner against sic a sanct. Sae ye may keep yer sanct i' yer holy boasom."
"Dinna gang on that gait, Mr Cupples. Gin ye can direc' me to the purification o' our wee bit temple, I'll hearken heumbly. I only wiss ye war ane o' us."
"I'll bide till ye hae gotten rid o' Bruce, ony gait.�-I care naething for yer sma' separatist kirkies.-�I wonner ye dinna pray for a clippin' o' an auld sun that ye micht do withoot the common daylicht. But I do think it's a great shame�-that sic a sneak sud be i' the company o' honest fowk, as I tak the maist o' ye to be. Sae I'll do my best. Ye'll hear frae me in a day or twa."
Cupples had remembered the inscription on the fly-leaf of the big
Bible, which, according to Thomas Crann, Mr Cowie had given to Annie.
He now went to James Dow.
"Did Annie ever tell ye aboot a Bible that Mr Cowie ga'e her, Jeames?"
"Ay did she. I min' 't fine."
"Cud ye get a haud o' 't."
"Eh! I dinna ken. The crater has laid his ain cleuks upo' 't. It's a sod pity that Annie's oot o' the hoose, or she micht hae stown't (stolen it)."