suspected for a moment I was keen about them.

Heathknowes, this the thirteenth Aprile.

"Dear Nephew Duncan,

"Doubtless you will be having so many letters that you will not be
caring for one from a cross auld maid, who is for ever finding fault
with you when ye are at home. But who, for all that, does not forget
to bear ye up in the arms of her petitions before the Throne--no,
night and morning both.

"This is writ to tell you that I have sent ye, by the wish of my
mither, one cheese of seven pounds weight good, as we are hearing
that you are thinking to try and find something to do in Edinburgh
during the summer time. Which will be an advisable thing, if it be
the Lord's will--for faint-a-hait do ye do here except play ill
pranks and run the country.

"However, what comes o't we shall see. Also there is a pig of
butter. It may be the better of a trifle more salt, that is, if the
weather is onyway warm. So I have put in a little piece of board and
ye can work the salt in yourself. Be a good lad, and mind there are
those here that are praying for ye to be guided aright. Big towns
are awful places for temptation by what they say, and that ye are
about the easiest specimen to be tempted, that I have yet seen with
these eyes. Howsomever, maybe ye will have gotten grace, or if not
that, at least a pickle common-sense, whilk often does as well--or
better.

"It's a Guid's blessing that ye have been led to stop where ye are.
For that lassie Charlotte Anderson is going on a shame to be seen.
Actually she is never off our doorstep--fleeing and rinning all
hours of the day. At first I thought to mysel', it was to hear news
of you. But she kens as weel as us when the posts come in, besides
the letters she gets from Agnes Anne--some that cost as muckle as
sevenpence--a ruination and a disgrace!" [Tom Gallaberry must have
been prolix that week.] "Then I thought it was maybe some of the
lads--for, like it or no, ye had better ken soon as syne, that
maiden's e'e is filled with vanity and the gauds o' grandeur,
disdaining the true onputting of a meek and quiet spirit!

"But, for your comfort, if ye are so far left to yourself as to take
comfort in the like--and the bigger fool you--it is no the lads
after all. It's just Irma Maitland!

"I declare they two are never sindry. Th