THE AUTHOR'S FIRST VISIT TO DROUGHSBURN. 38$ 



o' the e'e," * as he said, and seemed to miss nothing ; for 

 all at once he caught an error in the warp, leant forward 

 over the beam, put his head and arms through the cords, 

 and tied the break with smartness and success. His hands 

 were withered and wrinkled, the fingers bent, and the joints 

 thick and knotted with long tying of threads and digging 

 of plants. It was astonishing, for a man above eighty, how 

 well he did that trying work. 



By-and-by the third visitor was introduced. His en- 

 trance seemed for a little to cause a return of his natural 

 shyness, for John shortly turned again to his web. He felt 

 no doubt as if he were being interviewed, but the sunny 

 countenance and pleasant humour of the new-comer 

 speedily put him at his ease. 



Pointing to the " pirn " wheel, which stood opposite the 

 loom where he was working, I asked, "Who fills your 

 ' pirns ' for you, John ? " 



" Ow, I dee't mysel' ! " said he, with some surprise at 

 the question. 



" Dear me ! " said I, for it is not usual for the weaver to 

 do this work ; " is there no woman to do it for you ? " 



" Na, na ! " replied he, " no, for this mony a year. 

 Besides, I dinna need their help, and I manage awa' 

 brawly mysel' ; so that I am independent o' them. I like 

 to be independent," said the little man, and his voice and 

 look told this better than words. 



" And do you wind your own warp too ? " continued I, 

 turning to the tall warping machine t that stood opposite 

 his loom. 



* Quick-sighted and keen, applied to any of the senses, but chiefly 

 to sight. 



t A circular cylinder, about three feet in diameter and six feet in 



2 C 



