ing, as she did at first, when I told her my dream,
she soon came to regard the matter as one of sober earnest. The very
prospect of what was to happen threw a gleam of comfort round our bit
fireside; and, long ere the day had come about which was to crown our
expectations, Nanse was prepared with her bit stock of baby's wearing
apparel, and all necessaries appertaining thereto--wee little mutches
with lace borders, and side-knots of blue three-ha'penny ribbon--long
muslin frockies, vandyked across the breast, drawn round the waist with
narrow nittings and tucked five rows about the tail--Welsh-flannel
petticoaties--demity wrappers--a coral gumstick, and other uncos, which
it does not befit the like of me to particularize. I trust, on my part,
as far as in me lay, I was not found wanting; having taken care to
provide a famous Dunlop cheese, at fivepence-halfpenny the pound--I
believe I paled fifteen, in Joseph Gowdy's shop, before I fixed on
it;--to say nothing of a bottle, or maybe two, of real peat-reek,
Farintosh, small-still Hieland whisky--Glenlivat, I think, is the name
o't--half a peck of shortbread, baken by Thomas Burlings, with three
pounds of butter, and two ounces of carvie-seeds in it, let alone
orange-peel, and a pennyworth of ground cinnamon--half a mutchkin of best
cony brandy, by way of change--and a Musselburgh ankerstoke, to slice
down for tea-drinkings and posset cups.

Everyone has reason to be thankful, and me among the rest; for many a
worse provided for, and less welcome down-lying has taken place, time out
of mind, throughout broad Scotland. I say this with a warm heart, as I
am grateful for my all mercies. To hundreds above hundreds such a
catastrophe brings scarcely any joy at all; but it was far different with
me, who had a Benjamin to look for.

If the reader will be so kind as to look over the next chapter, he will
find whether or not I was disappointed in my expectations.

CHAPTER EIGHT--LETTING LODGINGS

It would be curious if I passed over a remarkable incident, which at this
time fell out. Being but new beginners in the world, the wife and I put
our heads constantly together to contrive for our forward advancement, as
it is the bounden duty of all to do. So our housie being rather large
(two rooms and a kitchen, not speaking of the coal-cellar and a
hen-house,) and having as yet only the expectation of a family, we
thought we could not do better than get John Varnish th