"Ye shall hear a' about it," said Patie. "After parting wi' ye, I trudged hame to Birgham, and when I got to my house—before I had the sneck o' the door weel out o' my hand—
"'What's stopped ye to this time o' nicht, ye fitless, feckless cratur ye?' cried Tibby—'whar hae ye been? Gie an account o' yoursel.'
"'An account o' mysel!' says I, and I gied the door a drive ahint me, as if I wad driven it aff the hinges—'for what should I gie an account o' mysel?—or wha should I gie it to? I suppose this house is my ain, and I can come in and gang out when I like!'
"'Yours!' cried she; 'is the body drunk?'
"'No,' says I; 'I'm no drunk, but I wad hae you to be decent. Where is my supper?—it is time that I had it.'
"'Ye micht hae come in in time to get it then,' said she; 'folk canna keep suppers waitin on you.'
"'But I'll gang whar I can get it,' said I; and I offered to leave the house.
"'I'll tak the life o' ye first,' said she. 'Gie me the siller. Ye had five cogs, a dizen o' bickers, twa dizen o' piggins, three bowies, four cream dishes, and twa ladles, besides the wooden spoons that I packed up mysel. Gie me the siller—and, you puir profligate, let me see what ye hae spent.'
"'Gie you the siller!' says I; 'na, na, I've dune that lang aneugh—I hae stopped the supplies, my woman.'
"'Stop your breath!' cried she; 'gie me the siller, every farthin, or wo betide ye.'