Dumb Walls 



It was during* one of these Olympian 

 evenings that the hostess asked us 

 what name, if any, we had chosen for 

 the house we had been building in the 

 new Midlothian. Upon being advised 

 that the little place was nameless yet, 

 she said at once: "I have it 'Dum- 

 biedykes'!" and then my Scott came 

 back. I had but to recall one of the 

 opening scenes in "The Heart of 

 Midlothian." And yet I asked, "Why 

 'Dumbiedykes'?" 



"Well," Mrs Todd replied, "You 

 know in Scotch a dyke is a wall. 

 Dumbie (pronounced dummy) dykes 

 would be dumb or silent walls. You 

 will have friends and boon companions 

 with you often. Many good times will 

 doubtless be enjoyed. Dumb walls 

 tell no tales. What name more 

 apropos?" 



And then and there I was duly made 

 to kneel and receive a special christen- 

 ing as the "Laird of Dumbiedykes," a 

 patent for which title, duly signed and 

 [85] . 



