‘But perhaps you meant it. We do not always say what we mean, do we?’ said Barclay, raising his eyebrows facetiously.
‘Whiles a’ do,’ replied the Queen of the Cadgers, with some truth.
‘You speak your mind plainly enough to Mr. Speid, I believe,’ said Barclay.
‘Wha tell’t ye that?’
‘Aha! everything comes round to me in time, I assure you, my good soul; my business is confidential—very confidential. You see, as a lawyer, I am concerned with all the estates in this part of the country.’
‘Where the money is, there will the blayguards be gathered together,’ said Granny, resenting the patronage in his tone.
‘Come, come! that is surely rather severe,’ said Barclay, forcing a smile. ‘You don’t treat the laird in that way when he comes to see you, I am sure; he would not come so often if you did.’
‘He canna come ower muckle for me.’
‘What will you do when he gets a wife? He will not have so much idle time then.’
‘Maybe she’ll come wi’ him.’