"'Yes, sir,' said Willie—
'For modes of faith, let graceless zealots fight,
His can't be wrong whose life is in the right.'
"'Certainly not—certainly not,' exclaimed Mr Darsy, in raptures.
'One self-approving hour whole years outweighs
Of stupid starers, and of loud hurrahs.'
"'Nae denyin't,' said Willie; 'and to a' wha doot it, I wad say—
Know, then, this truth (enough for man to know),
Virtue alone is happiness below.'
And, as he repeated the last line, he laid his hand with solemn emphasis on his heart.
"This last quotation did Willie's business.
"'Come, come,' said Mr Darsy, shedding tears of delight, and taking Willie by the arm to conduct him into the house, 'let us settle this small matter at once, and off hand. Just say at once, my friend, the lowest sum you really will take for these horses, and they are mine. Sandy there is a well-meaning man, but he has his prejudices, as we all have.'
"'Weel then, sir, juist to be at a word wi' ye,' replied Willie, 'I'll tak nine-and-twenty guineas for the black horse, and nineteen for the brown ane; and if that's no a bargain, I never gied or got ane in my life.'