192 NORTHERN MKMOIRS. 



Tlicoph. I confess it was intricate ; but how 

 did he behave himself? 



Am. Very well, I fancy, and the manner on't 

 was thus. First, he calls a hall ; but admits no 

 man to speak a word save himself; and as his 

 gravity directs him, puts a question to the wo- 

 man ; which in short was this. He demands to 

 know of her how the cow took the liquor, whe- 

 ther she took it sitting, or if she took it stand- 

 ing ? To \vhich the brewster-wife, after a little 

 pause, answered, by making this reply ; In guid 

 fa, sir, quo the wife, the cow took it standing. 

 Then, quo the provost, your e'en words condemn 

 ye, to seek satisfaction for a standing-drink. This 

 annihilates the custom of doh and dons. For 

 truly sike another ill precedent as this, were 

 enough to obliterate so famous a custom, as stark 

 love and kindness for evermare. Where note, 

 guid wife, ye have wronged Billy Pringle, for 

 prosecuting the guid man contrary to law ; and 

 have done mickle damage to Puggy his cow, be- 

 cause to chastise her but for a standing-drink. 



Thcoph. Is it a romance, or a real story ? 



Am. Do you doubt the truth on't ? 



TJieoph. Peradventure I do, but it serves us 

 to laugh at. 



Ami. And will not our beds serve as well to 

 lie on ? 



