“Sam'l!”
“Ye hae been a guid friend to me, Sanders, in this sair affliction.”
“Nothing ava,” said Sanders; “dount mention'd.”
“But, Sanders, ye canna deny but what your rinnin oot o' the kirk that awfu' day was at the bottom o'd a'.”
“It was so,” said Sanders bravely.
“An' ye used to be fond o' Bell, Sanders.”
“I dinna deny't.”
“Sanders, laddie,” said Sam'l, bending forward and speaking in a wheedling voice, “I aye thocht it was you she likit.”
“I had some sic idea mysel,” said Sanders.
“Sanders, I canna think to pairt twa fowk sae weel suited to ane anither as you an' Bell.”