in a terrible
flurry and fermentation. A kind of cold trembling went through me; and I
thought it best to tell Nanse what I was going to do, that she might be
something prepared for it. "Fare ye well, my dear!" said I to her, "you
will be a widow in five minutes--for here goes!" I did not think she
could have mustered so much courage, but she sprang at me like a tiger;
and, throwing the razor into the ass-hole, took me round the neck, and
cried like a bairn. First she was seized with a fit of the hystericks,
and then with her pains. It was a serious time for us both, and no joke;
for my heart smote me for my sin and cruelty. But I did my best to make
up for it. I ran up and down like mad for the Howdie, and at last
brought her trotting along with me by the lug. I could not stand it. I
shut myself up in the shop with Tammy Bodkin, like Daniel in the lions'
den; and every now and then opened the door to speir what news. Oh, but
my heart was like to break with anxiety! I paced up and down, and to and
fro, with my Kilmarnock on my head and my hands in my breeches pockets,
like a man out of Bedlam. I thought it would never be over; but, at the
second hour of the morning, I heard a wee squeel, and knew that I was a
father; and so proud was I, that notwithstanding our loss, Lucky
Bringthereout and me whanged away at the cheese and bread, and drank so
briskly at the whisky and foot-yill, that, when she tried to rise and go
away, she could not stir a foot. So Tammy and I had to oxter her out
between us, and deliver the howdie herself--safe in at her own door.

CHAPTER IX.--BENJIE'S CHRISTENING.

We'll hap and row, hap and row,
We'll hap and row the feetie o't.
It is a wee bit weary thing,
I dinnie bide the greetie o't.

PROVOST CREECH.

An honest man, close button'd to the chin,
Broad-cloth without, and a warm heart within.

COWPER.

This great globe and all that it inherits shall dissolve,
And, like the baseless fabric of a vision,
Leave not a rack behind.

SHAKSPEARE.

At the christening of our only bairn, Benjie, two or three remarkable
circumstances occurred, which it behoves me to relate.

It was on a cold November afternoon; and really when the bit room was all
redd up, the fire bleezing away, and the candles lighted, every thing
looked full tosh and comfortable. It was a real pleasure, after looking
out into the drift that was fleeing like mad fr