There were sounds of scuffling after this, but eventually they were calmed by Elspeth's.
'Whisht, bairns! Behave yersels! Ye kenna wha micht be hearkenin'. An' what's yer news, Joseph? Hae ye nae cracks to divert a lane auld body, forby daffin' wi' Jean? Is there naething steerin' e'y glen ava?'
'There's plenty steerin', granny! Muckle din, but aiblins little 'oo, as the dei'l said whan he scrapit the soo.'
'Mind what ye're sayin', Joseph Smiley! She's no' your granny, she's mines; an' what's mair, gin ye dinna talc yersel' up, she'll ne'er be yours ava! Sae dinna let yer tongue wag ower soople!'
'Be quiet, Jean, ye fechtin' hempie, an' let the man speak! I'm juist wearyin' to hear the news. An' what's a' the din for, Joseph?'
'It's just about the minister an' his bairn, an' his carryin's on amang the lasses.'
'Ay? An' is't a' true, think ye?'
'Wha kens? The lad's but young yet, an' the lass is no that ill faured. The Kirk Session's taen't up, an' the Presbytery, an' there'll be sair wark afore a''s dune.'
'An' what'll be dune wi' them, think ye, Joseph?'
'Oo! The minister '11 be peuten oot, nae doubt o' that, gin a' 'at's said be true. An' the puir quine, she beut to be sotten e'y cuttie stule, an' be rebuket afore the hale congregation. Hech! but it's weel for Angus Tirpie he's no t'ey fore this day to see his dochter come to sic shame. An' I'm wae for the lass hersel'. There's naebody wud hae thocht it o' her; but she's a randie auld tinkler yon mither o' her's, an' it's sma' winder 'at them she had the guidin' o' suld come to harm.'