whilk was a great vex; then I behoved to learn about my godfathers and godmothers to please the auld toddy; and whiles I jumbled them thegither and pleased nane o' them; and when I cam to man's yestate, cam anither kind of questioning in fashion, that I liked waur than Effectual Calling; and the did promise and vow' of the tane were yoked to the end of the tother. Sae ye soe, sir, I aye like to hear questions asked before I answer them."
"You have nothing to apprehend from mine, my good friend, they only relate to the state of the country."
"Country?" replied Cuddie; "ou, the country's weel aneugh, an' it werena that dour devil, Claver'se, (they ca' him Dundee now) that's stirring about yet in the Highlands, they say, wi' a' the Donalds, and Duncans, and Dugalds, that ever wore bottomless breeks, driving about wi’ him, to set things a-stear again, now we hae gotten them a' reasonably weel settled. But
