DISCIPLES AND SYMPATHISERS AT DROUGHSBURN. 353 



and give out their sweets for a selfish end.' * Na, na,' he 

 replied, 'they're jist like the lads and lasses, dressin' 

 themsel's bonnilie to get a sweetheart ; ' and he went away, 

 laughing heartily at the conceit. 



"We were talking one day, on the way from church, 

 about the death of an acquaintance, when he very solemnly 

 remarked, ' Floo'rs come up oot o' the caul* grun' gradually 

 in spring ; man will be raised up suddenly full blown." The 

 remark was in accordance with the generally hopeful view 

 the old man took of things." 



On another occasion, Mr. Williams was passing Droughs- 

 burn and met the old botanist near the cottage. " It's a 

 fine day this," said John. " Yes, John, a very fine day." 

 " But we're sair needin' rain," John went on. " The flees 

 are busy nibblin' awa' the neeps." " Does rain kill them ? " 

 asked his young friend. " Na," replied John, " I dinna 

 think that ; and even gin it did droon them, they're sae 

 breedy that ae generation o' them, greedier than the last, 

 wu'd spring up wi' the first blink o' sunsheen. The rain 

 maybe doesna kill them, but it gars the neep grow till it 

 gets ower hard for the beesties' teeth." "What havoc 

 farmers suffer from these small creatures ! " remarked Mr. 

 Williams. "Ay, ay," consented John; "gin they were as 

 big as hares, we cu'd gae oot an' shoot them wi' guns and 

 trap them like rabbits ; nae game laws cu'd prevent that. 

 But they're sae sma } cattle ; catchin' them winna pay ony 

 mair nar clippin' the soo." 



" Is work brisk just now, John ? " " Oh, weel," replied 

 he, " I've aye plenty to dee. ' Swift as a weaver's shuttle ' is 

 an auld sayin' ; but ye canna keep the guidwives frae 

 grumblin' awa' and ca'in' me lazy ; just as gin they hadna ae 



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