“‘You can tell me some other time,’ said I.
“‘Nonsense,’ cried Betsy, ‘what can a bairn know about it? Weel,’ continued she, ‘it was believed that she had made away with John Anderson, her gudeman.’
“‘What’s a gudeman, Betsy?’ asked Miss Charlotte.
“‘A husband,’ answered she.
“‘And what’s making away with him, Betsy?’
“‘What need you care?’ said Betsy.
“‘You may just as well tell me,’ said Miss Charlotte; ‘or I’ll ask Elie Anderson herself all about it, the first time I meet her.’
“‘That would be a good joke,’ said Betsy, laughing; ‘how Elie Anderson would look to hear a bairn like you speaking about a gudeman, and making away with him; however,’ she continued, ‘that means killing him.’
“‘Killing him!’ exclaimed Miss Charlotte. ‘Oh, the wretch; and how did she kill him, Betsy?’
“‘You must ask no more questions, miss,’ said Betsy, and the subject dropped.