Eliza Margaret Jane Humphreys

“ She was determined the old man should be got up-stairs and out of the way before the hour when callers might be expected.
She therefore attended to the laying of breakfast and dinner herself, being afraid lest Tibbie Minch should call attention to the vagaries of the timepiece. The plan succeeded. James Macpherson partook of his whisky toddy, and retired to his room unsuspectingly; and Tibbie, grumbling audibly, was hustled off to put on her afternoon gown, while the fair Catherine was getting herself into the new strange garment she had deemed suitable for the occasion. ”

“ When Tibbie ushered in her first visitor, the minister's wife, she stood aghast at her mistress's gaudy appearance, and beat a hasty retreat to the kitchen.
"David, my wee mannie," she said to the kitten, who was sitting guard over the silver tea-tray, "David, I'm thinkin' 'tis the scarlet woman hersel' up yonder. Hoots! did ever body see the likes o't? What will the minister's leddy think? Why, it's just daft the woman is gettin'. I'm afraid to think how it'll end. Deed, laddie, ye've mair sense in your wee black headie than that puir auld fule up-stairs has in her whole body. ”

“ Bring up hot water and a tea-cloth into the dining-room, and I'll soon have these things done."
"Aye, aye, ye can find a ceevil tongue when things gae to your ain liking," said the candid Tibbie. "The minister has been flattering ye up, nae doot. But I'd hae ye mind that men are 'deceitfu' above all things,' as the Scripture saith. I'd nae trust ane at ony age mysel', and I hae e'en had my experience, ye ken."
Catherine gave no answer, but retired upstairs to remove her gown and put on the useful, working-day, black alpaca, in which she usually garbed her spare form. ”