'Betty!' returned Mrs. Falconer, with scorn. 'Betty's naething but a bairn hersel'—muckler and waur faured (worse favoured).'
'But what for shouldna ye fess the lads wi' ye?' suggested Mr. Lammie.
'I hae no richt to burden you wi' them.'
'Weel, I hae aften wonnert what gart ye burden yersel' wi' that Shargar, as I understan' they ca' him,' said Mr. Lammie.
'Jist naething but a bit o' greed,' returned the old lady, with the nearest approach to a smile that had shown itself upon her face since Mr. Lammie's last visit.
'I dinna understan' that, Mistress Faukner,' said Miss Lammie.
'I'm sae sure o' haein' 't back again, ye ken,—wi' interest,' returned Mrs. Falconer.
'Hoo's that? His father winna con ye ony thanks for haudin' him in life.'
'He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord, ye ken, Miss Lammie.'
'Atweel, gin ye like to lippen to that bank, nae doobt ae way or anither it'll gang to yer accoont,' said Miss Lammie.