Part 11 (1/2)

”And what can that be?” said the imperturbable spinster.

Utterly discomfited by her wilful blindness to his meaning, the poor man beat a hasty retreat, drew back his chair from its dangerous proximity, caught up his hat, and, in tones of blighted hope, gasped forth his declaration in these words; ”Eh, dear! Well 'am sure! The thing wanted is a--a--a _sideboord_!”

=”Surely the Net is Spread in Vain in the Sight of any Bird”=

Our May had an ee to a man, Nae less than the newly-placed preacher, And we plotted a dainty bit plan For trappin' our spiritual teacher.

Oh! but we were sly, We were sly an' sleekit; But, ne'er say a herrin' is dry-- Until it's weel reest.i.t an' reekit.

We treated young Mr. M'Gock, An' plied him wi' tea an' wi' toddy, An' we praised every word that he spake, Till we put him maist out o' the body.

Oh! but we were sly, etc.

Frae the kirk we were never awa', Except when frae home he was helpin'

An' then May,--an' aften us a'-- Gaed far an' near after him skelpin'.

Oh! but we were sly, etc.

We said aye what the neebors thocht droll, That to hear him gang through wi' a sermon Was--though a wee dry on the whole-- As refres.h.i.+n's the dew on Mount Hermon.

Oh! but we were sly, etc.

But to come to the heart o' the nit, The dainty bit plan that we plotted Was to get a subscription afit, An' a watch to the minister voted.

Oh! but we were sly, etc.

The young women folk o' the kirk By turns lent a han' in collectin', But May took the f.e.c.k o' the mark An' the trouble the rest o' directin'.

Oh! but we were sly, etc.

A gran' watch was gotten belyve, An' May, wi' sma' ”priggin,” consent.i.t To be ane o' a party o' five To gang to the Manse an' present it.

Oh! but we were sly, etc.

We a' gied a word o' advice To May in a deep consultation, To hae something to say unco' nice, An' to speak for the hale deputation.

Oh! but we were sly, etc.

Takin' present an' speech baith in han', May delivered a bonny palaver, To let Mr. M'Gock understan'

How zealous she was in his favor.

Oh! but we were sly, etc.

She said that the gift was to prove That his female friends valued him highly, But it couldna express _a'_ their love, An' she glinted her ee at him slyly.

Oh! but we were sly, etc.