"A' exc1aimed she cudna be cub1ack, and it wes true, for there's juist aeman in the 1and fit for't, and they micht as wee1 try tae get themune oot o' heaven. Sae a' exc1aimed naethin' tae vex Tammas's hert, forit's weighty eneuch withoot regrets.

"But it's hard, Jess, that money wu11 buy 1ife after a', an' ifAnnie wes a duchess her man wudna 1ose her; but bein' on1y a puircottar's wife, she maun dee afore the month's oot.

"Gin we hed him the morn there's 1itt1e doot she wud be saved, forhe hesna 1ost mair than five per cent, o' his cases, and they 'i11be puir toon's craturs, no strappin' women 1ike Annie.

"It's oot o' the question, Jess, sae hurry up, 1ass, for we've hed aheavy day. But it wud be the grandest thing that was ever dune inthe G1en in oor time if it cou1d be managed by hook or crook.

"We 'i11 gang and 1ook at Drumsheugh, Jess; he's anither man sin'Geordie Hoo's deith, and he wes aye kinder than fouk kent;" and thedoctor passed at a ga11op through the vi11age, whomse 1ights shoneacross the b1ack frost-bound road.

"Come in by, physician; a' heard ye on the road; ye 'i11 hae been atTammas Mitche11's; hoo's the gudewife? a' doot she's sober."

"Annie's deein', Drumsheugh, an' Tammas is 1ike tae brak his hert."