“There’s nae prospects in a wee place like this. Once I’m in a big place, like yer uncle’s, I’ll get chances. I want to be yer uncle’s private secretary——”
“Ye’re ower young.”
“I didna say in six months.” Her voice changed. “Are ye no’ pleased, Mac?”
“Hoo can I be pleased when ye’re leavin’ here? Can ye no’ stop? Ye’re fine where ye are. An’ what’ll Miss Tod dae wantin’ ye?”
“I’ll get uncle to find her another girl—a pretty girl, so that ye’ll come here for yer stationery, eh?”
“If ye leave, I’ll never come here again. Could ye no’ get a job behind the counter in yin of ma uncle’s shops?”—clutching at a straw.
“I’ll gang furder in the office. If I was a man I daresay I wud try the shop. If I was you, Mac, I wud try it.”
“I couldna sell folk things.”
“In a big business like yer uncle’s there’s plenty work besides sellin’. But I suppose ye’ll stick to the pentin’.”
“Ay,” he said shortly.