"Weel than——"
"And weel than," echoed he.
"And better than weel than; suppose I swore I did it mysel'—and maybe I did; that's no your business—they wadna hang a puir wretch like me for her ain words, wad they, when there's nae proof I did it but my ain tongue?"
"No likely," replied he; "and then a hunder gowden guineas as a present, no as a bribe——"
"I want nae bribes—I gie value for my fortunes. If it's wind, wind is the breath o' life; a present!"
"Would make your een jump," added he, finishing his sentence.
"Jump! ay, loup! Whar are they?"
"You'll get the half when you come into the town, and the other when Mrs. S——is safe. You will ca' at my office on Wednesday; and, after that, I'll tak care o' you. In the meantime, ye maun sell your mice."
"Geordie Cameron offered me five shillings for them; I'll gie them to him."
"No," replied the writer; "no to a man. Ken ye nae woman-tramp will tak them, and show them about as you do?"