"I was, Sam'l," said Sanders, "and I canna but be thankfu' ye was ower quick for's."
"Oin't hadna been you," said Sam'l, "I wid never hae thocht o't."
"I'm sayin' naething agin Bell," pursued the other, "but, man Sam'l, a body should be mair deleeberate in a thing o' the kind."
"It was michty hurried," said Sam'l, wofully.
"It's a serious thing to speir a lassie," said Sanders.
"It's an awfu' thing," said Sam'l.
"But we'll hope for the best," added Sanders, in a hopeless voice.
They were close to the Tenements now, and Sam'l looked as if he were on his way to be hanged.
"Sam'l?"
"Ay, Sanders."