‘What will you do with them?’ I asked.
He opened his hand and pointed to the pennies one after another.
‘I’ll buy sweeties wi’ that ane, an’—an’ bools wi’ that ane, an’—an’—an’ a peerie wi’ that ane; an’ I’ll gi’e ane to Annie, and I’ll lay by twa!’
‘Prudent young Scotchman,’ said I; ‘and pray, what are “bools”? Marbles, I suppose. And what is a “peerie”?’
The boy thought I was laughing at him.
‘Div ye no ken that?’ he asked, with some suspiciousness and a dash of contempt.
I assured him I did not.
‘Ye tie’t up wi’ a string, an’ birl’t on the road, an’ it gangs soon’ soon’ asleep.’
‘Oh, a top you mean.’
‘A peerie,’ persisted he.