THE AUTHOR'S FIRST VISIT TO DROUGHSBURN. 393 



verbial philosophy." When I told him anything that greatly 

 surprised him, he burst out in simple tones of wonderment, 

 exclaiming, " Od be here, man ! Ye dinna say sae ? " 



As we thus sat talking, the bright sun was shining out- 

 side and streaming pleasantly through the cords and 

 beams of the loom. I wished much to get John out 

 into the field, that I might see more of his habits and let 

 the flowers do their office of suggestion, and I proposed 

 that we should take a walk. He was ready at once to go, 

 and was evidently willing to devote the day to me, as, 

 certainly, I was to him. He rose, put on his broad bonnet, 

 and, shutting the door of his dwelling, staff in hand, he led 

 the way up the hill behind the house. He walked at a 

 smart pace, with short steps, leaning forwards on his staff, 

 which was put down on the ground with each foot, being 

 apparently required to support him. The way was rough, 

 there being no proper path except the field or dike side, 

 but he would not accept any assistance even in difficult 

 places, as when getting over the dike, climbing fences, or 

 pushing through the tall broom on the steep hill slope. " Na, 

 na, I dinna need ony help, sir, thank you. I can manage 

 awa fine." Yet, tottering as they seemed, his steps, though 

 short, were firm and smart, and he moved onwards at a 

 good rate. He could still take long journeys, going, for 

 instance, some four miles over hill to church, which he still 

 attended very regularly ; and undertaking to visit my friend, 

 the minister of Keig, next summer, a promise which involved 

 some sixteen miles of a walk ! " I only need a little time 

 noo, ye see," he explained. " I ance didna, for I was a 

 smart walker i' my day, and can do something till't yet. 

 Mony a fit I hae gane, I can tell ye." 



