J. J. Bell

“ Parkins."
"So I was," says he, "but the auld sleepy-head gaed into the tool-house to fetch a hoe, and there he's yet, snorin' like a pig. I'm due a rest onyway."
"The cook's ha'ein' a dish o' tea," I says. "Ye should jine her."
I noticed, no' for the first time, that he was lookin' wearied.
"I'm no' heedin' aboot tea, Jemima," he says, suddenly. "I wish ye would dae me a favour."
I think it's Soloman that says: "When in doubt, hold your tongue." I merely took a squint oot o' the corner o' ma eye, and gaed on wi' ma study. ”

“ I will be very pleased to show you the finest scenery in this part of the British Isles, and you can have either chocolates or toffee to refresh you all the time. I know how to behave myself as well as anybody. Hoping to observe your sweet smile before it is many days older.
Your's resp.,
Peter Taggart
"Head Porter , Sunnyburn Station. "P. S.—Beware!" "Weel," thinks I, "he seems to ha'e ta'en a heap o' trouble to write a nice letter;" and I couldna but admire his neck in callin' hissel' "head porter."
Of course, he had nae business to put "Jemima," nor to bid me beware ”

“ I says, vera busy wi' the brush. "Besides, it was the station master that gi'ed me ma tea."
"Noo, that's nice o' ye," he says. "And it's no' every girl that'll mak' hersel' oot to be aulder nor she is. For instance, that hoosemaid I told ye aboot pretended she was jist seven and twinty."
"But hoo could ye tell that wasna her real age?" I asked him.
He dinna answer directly, and then Mrs. Parkins cam' in, and somehow I could never put the question again. ”