“Because single men are such gossips. I am sorry he is not single, as I want him to repeat to everybody what I told him.”
“Trust him to tell Susy,” said Nanny, “and Susy to tell the town.”
“His wife is a gossip?”
“Ay, she’s aye tonguing, especially about her teeth. They’re folk wi’ siller, and she has a set o’ false teeth. It’s fair scumfishing to hear her blawing about thae teeth, she’s so fleid we dinna ken that they’re false.”
Nanny had spoken jealously, but suddenly she trembled with apprehension.
“Babbie,” she cried, “you didna speak about the poorhouse to Enoch?”
The Egyptian shook her head, though of the poorhouse she had been forced to speak, for Enoch, having seen the doctor going home alone, insisted on knowing why.
“But I knew,” the gypsy said, “that the Thrums people would be very unhappy until they discovered where you get the money I am to give you, and as that is a secret, I hinted to Enoch that your benefactor is Mr. Dishart.”
“You should not have said that,” interposed Gavin. “I cannot foster such a deception.”