J. J. Bell

“ Macgregor tried to speak, but could not. His readiness and jauntiness deserted him.
One of John's hands stole to the pocket where he kept his purse. "Lizzie?" he muttered, enquiringly.
She frowned for a moment; then she nodded. "I'm ower weel pleased to try to prevent ye, John," she whispered.
"Macgreegor," said his father. "Yer Maw an' me's rale pleased wi' ye fur savin' ver money to buy yer Granpaw a present. I cudna ha'e dune it masel' when i wis a laddie like you. An' here a saxpence fur ye." ”

“ Whit's the meanin' o' the word contemplate?"
"It means to be ashamed," replied Macgregor after considerable reflection.
"It disna! But ye micht weel be ashamed o' yersel', Macgreegor! Tak' yer book, an' dinna lift yer e'en frae it fur hauf-an-'oor, an' then I'll hear ye yer meanin's again, an' yer spellin', furbye."
Taking the book from his mother, Macgregor returned unwillingly to his seat, while his father, who was glad when the' little examination was over, jocularly observed:—
"Never heed, ma mannie. Ye'll dae a' richt next time! There's some o' yer words wud puzzle me. Eh, Lizzie?" ”

“ Mistress Purdie wis sayin' it wis an' occasion when somethin' gorgeous wis the correc' thing. But you an' me, John, canna keep up wi' her an' Rubbert."
"An' we're no' gaun to try it. We'll jist dae wur best, Lizzie, an' gi'e yer mither as guid a present as——"
"Paw, I want to gi'e Granpaw Purdie a present," cried Macgregor, and dropped his book with a smack on the floor. ”