94 SAUCE FOR GOOSE, SAUCE FOR GANDER. 



such matters, and proud of it too. By and 

 by it was ready, and put on the table close 

 by us ; but the tailor had gone to gossip with 

 the people outside that had come to the sale, 

 so the shoemaker went off to look after him, 

 and in no good humour either. As soon as 

 his back was turned, Mac whips off the cover, 

 takes half the steak, divides it between him 

 and me, and began eating away, whilst I 

 could not think what he was at. Presently 

 in they came, and seeing what we were do- 

 ing, they began abusing us most unmerci- 

 fully. I will say I felt very foolish, till Mac 

 said to them, " What's the matter? did ye 

 no say we ought all to begin again, and share 

 and share alike ? We've only done what 

 ye've been sae lang advising. Our bread- 

 and- cheese was all gone, and we'd cum 

 roun' to your way o' thinkin', and thought 

 we'd make a beginning at once ; so we've 

 taken our share." But nothing of that kind 

 of argument would suit them now, not a bit 

 of it. They tried to hide how foolish they 

 felt, but could not do it, tho' Mac went and 

 ordered more, and paid for it, and as we went 

 away said to them, " Dinna ding me ony mair 

 wi' your clavers about starting afresh, and 



