‘’Cause ither fowk never sees the bonny man, they tell me,’ he replied.
‘That’s their ain wyte,’ answered Kirsty. ‘They micht a’ see him gien they wud—or at least hear him say they sud see him or lang.’
‘Eh, but I’m no sure ’at ever I did see him, Kirsty!’
‘That winna haud ye ohn seein him whan the hoor comes. And the like’s true o’ the lave.’
‘Ay, for I canna du wantin him—and sae nouther can they!’
‘Naebody can. A’ maun hae seen him, or be gaein to see him.’
‘I hae as guid as seen him, Kirsty! He was there! He helpit me whan the ill folk cam to pu’ at me!—Ye div think though, Kirsty, ’at I’m b’un’ to see him some day?’
‘I’m thinkin the hoor’s been aye set for that same!’ answered Kirsty.
‘Kirsty,’ returned Steenie, not quite satisfied with her reply, ‘I’ll gang clean oot the wuts I hae, gien ye tell me I’m never to see him face to face!’
‘Steenie,’ rejoined Kirsty solemnly, ‘I wud gang oot o’ my wuts mysel gien I didna believe that! I believe ’t wi’ a’ my heart, my bonny man.’