26
life's reverses.
Sirs the day, I feel thankfu' nae help I require,
As you'll ken frae this letter," quo she to the squire,
Wha stood inly enjoyin' the weel-timed rebuke—
O' the guid woman's feelin's he fully partook,
An' managed to hide a bit smile when he saw
The young leddie's rage, wha looked daggers at a'.
Truth was, the puir lassie's good looks roused her ire,
When she saw they attracted ilk glance o' the squire;
Besides, in her presence, the mither's calm air,
What business had beauty an' grace wi' the puir?
Sae she used ostentation, an' that wi' a zeal,
Tae gie vent to her anger, an' gar boddies feel;
An' which, at the widow's reply, reached that stage
O' passion pent up ca'd concentrated rage.
But her wrath cooled fu' soon, though explosion was near,
When she came the contents o' the letter to hear;
Whatever her ain private feelin's micht be,
She turned affable noo to the highest degree—
Quite free an' respectfu' like, joinin' the chat,
An' gi'en the dark head o' wee Meg a bit pat:
For the squire, wi' the interest a frien' micht display,
Speered a' about what they intended to dae,
An' said they his services freely micht claim,
Till he saw them installed in a mair fittin' hame;
Sae the visitors bade them a smiling adieu,
Wi' promise tae aften their visits renew.
As you'll ken frae this letter," quo she to the squire,
Wha stood inly enjoyin' the weel-timed rebuke—
O' the guid woman's feelin's he fully partook,
An' managed to hide a bit smile when he saw
The young leddie's rage, wha looked daggers at a'.
Truth was, the puir lassie's good looks roused her ire,
When she saw they attracted ilk glance o' the squire;
Besides, in her presence, the mither's calm air,
What business had beauty an' grace wi' the puir?
Sae she used ostentation, an' that wi' a zeal,
Tae gie vent to her anger, an' gar boddies feel;
An' which, at the widow's reply, reached that stage
O' passion pent up ca'd concentrated rage.
But her wrath cooled fu' soon, though explosion was near,
When she came the contents o' the letter to hear;
Whatever her ain private feelin's micht be,
She turned affable noo to the highest degree—
Quite free an' respectfu' like, joinin' the chat,
An' gi'en the dark head o' wee Meg a bit pat:
For the squire, wi' the interest a frien' micht display,
Speered a' about what they intended to dae,
An' said they his services freely micht claim,
Till he saw them installed in a mair fittin' hame;
Sae the visitors bade them a smiling adieu,
Wi' promise tae aften their visits renew.
