J. J. Bell

“ Joseph, ha'e ye ony extra bad language?"
"Ma sympathy is nane the weaker for bein' dumb, John," replied the painter. "It was indeed, as ye observe, a costly nap. In some o' the new London hotels—see advertizements—ye wud likely ha'e got breakfast thrown in, an' maybe a bath into the bargain.... But what are we to say to the guidwife, John?"
"Oh, she'll jist ha'e to get the truth—what there is o' it. Maybe the nap was a judgment on me. I'm sorry I vexed her.... But—as I've said afore—a man maun ha'e his fling." ”

“ Mr. Redhorn shook his head, wishing he had said less—or, better, nothing whatever—about picture palaces to the old man. He looked at his watch. "We ha'e twinty-five meenutes till the boat comes," he said, "so we'll jist step up to ma hoose an' ha'e a dish o' tea. I left a guid fire. Come awa', Mistress McNab. Keep up yer heart. We'll find yer guid man safe an' soun', or ma name's no' Joseph Ridhorn. An' I wud humbly implore ye no' to be severe wi' him. To err is human, etceetera."
*****
An hour later they stood on Gourock pier. The painter was nervous. ”

“ Did he tell ye he was gaun to—Gourock?"
"He was speakin' aboot it this mornin'. But I tell't him I couldna gang wi' him, an' I promised to gang next Seturday—an' I thought that he would ha'e contented him. I never thought he wud treat me like this, efter three-an'-fifty year—efter the way I've ta'en care o' him. But a man's a man for a' that, as he used to sing it. I suppose it means that a man can never be onything better nor a man, if he lives for a hunderd years. ”