“I had ance a kin' o' notion o' Bell mysel,” continued Sanders.
“Ye had?”
“Yes, Sam'l; but I thocht better o't.”
“Hoo d'ye mean?” asked Sam'l, a little anxiously.
“Weel, Sam'l, mairitch is a terrible responsibeelity.”
“It is so,” said Sam'l, wincing.
“An' no the thing to tak up withoot conseederation.”
“But it's a blessed and honorable state, Sanders; ye've heard the minister on't.”
“They say,” continued the relentless Sanders, “'at the minister doesna get on sair wi' the wife himsel.”
“So they do,” cried Sam'l, with a sinking at the heart.