“‘Michty!’ said he, ‘have ye a wife?’
“‘The nicest wee wife in Gleska,’ said I. ‘And I wish to goodness she was hame, for I’m awfu’ tired.’
“‘Then I’m no’ playin’,’ said the ghost. ‘I’ll awa’ roon’ and gie Jeckson a cry afore he gangs to his bed.’
“He grabbed the decanter and emptied it into the tumbler, gied ae gulp, and anither gnash to his teeth, and went awa’ withoot sae much as ‘thenk ye.’
“Jinnet’s step was on the stair. Fine I kent it! Man, that’s the smertest wee wumman!
“‘There’s nae livin’ in this hoose wi’ ghosts,’ says I to her when she cam’ in, and she had some grapes for me.
“‘Is there no’, Erchie?’ she said, lookin’ at me, ‘my ain puir auld man!’
“‘Look at that decanter,’ says I; ‘the rascal emptied it.’
“‘Hoots! the decanter’s a’ richt,’ says she, takin’t frae the press; and as shair’s onything, there wasna a drap’ oot o’t!
“And she put me to my bed there and then.”