“Man, Dan, they’ve awfu’ braid nebs” (broad bills).
“Braid nebs, or no’ braid nebs,” said Dan, “the game’s there onyway.”
“May be,” said Watty, “but they have maist awfu’ braid nebs,” for by this time he and all the onlookers had “smelt a rat;” “and in ma opinion they’re jucks.”
“Ye’re a juck!” said Dan, looking at him fiercely.
“Dinna look at me, Dan, look at them; look at their nebs, look at their wab-feet—is thae no jucks?”
A second glance revealed to Dan that this was too true.
Roars of laughter, which only such an audience can give, ensued, in which “Braid nebs,” “Gemm jucks,” “Grannie’s royal family,” “Tether Watty,” were heard amidst the noisy peals of the uncontrolled and apparently uncontrollable merriment.
Dan looked unutterable things; his face was one of dismal agony. He took side glances at the crowd; each followed by a long look—a perplexed, vindictive look—at the ducklings; whilst all the while the crowd waxed merrier, and laughed louder as they saw his miserable, heartbroken countenance.
Watty stooped down to lift a duckling, saying at the same time, “Man, Dan, have ye lost your sicht? Div ye no’ see that thae’s jucks? Look at their nebs, their feet, their size; hear their weet-weet;” but “Grannie” barred the pass, flew at his hand, and pecked it sharply. This revived the sorely afflicted Dan, and rousing himself, he said, “Weel dune, grannie!” which the crowd received with a cheer and a very loud laugh.
One of the onlookers, wishing to soothe Dan, said: “Jucks are as gude as hens ony day, Dan; an’ they’re healthy-like birds.”