“Ay,” said Sanders reluctantly.

“I'm dootin'—I'm sair dootin' she's but a flichty, light-hearted crittur after a'.”

“I had ay my suspeecions o't,” said Sanders.

“Ye hae kent her langer than me,” said Sam'l.

“Yes,” said Sanders, “but there's nae gettin' at the heart o' women. Man, Sam'l, they're desperate cunnin'.”

“I'm dootin't; I'm sair dootin't.”

“It'll be a warnin' to ye, Sam'l, no to be in sic a hurry i' the futur,” said Sanders.

Sam'l groaned.

“Ye'll be gaein up to the manse to arrange wi' the minister the morn's mornin',” continued Sanders, in a subdued voice.

Sam'l looked wistfully at his friend.