n is half ended," quo' the wife when she stuck the graip in
the midden.

A jocular beginning of work, which, if it went no further, would be
long enough ere it were finished.

A beltless bairn canna lee.

"I suppose it means a child before it be so old as to wear belted
truese, will not have the cunning to invent a lie."--_Kelly._

A bird in the hand's worth twa fleeing by.

A bit but and a bit ben maks a mim maiden at the board end.

"A jocose reflection upon young maids when they eat almost nothing
to dinner, intimating that if they had not eaten a little in the
pantry or kitchen, they would eat better at the table."--_Kelly._

A bit is aften better gi'en than eaten.

A black hen can lay a white egg.

A black shoe maks a blythe heart.

"Whan a man's shoe is blackened and bedaub'd with industry, it will
procure him such a supply as will make him cheerful."--_Kelly._

A Blainslie lawin'--there's mair for meat than drink.

A blate cat maks a proud mouse.

When discipline is not enforced, subordinates are apt to take
advantage of it.

A blind man needs nae looking-glass.

A blind man's wife needs nae painting.

A blythe heart maks a bloomin' look.

A body's no broke while they hae a gude kail stock.

"When all is not lost, all can be recovered."--_English._

A bonnie bride is sune buskit, and a short horse is sune wispit.

"For little adornment is required to set forth the bride's charms;
and the smaller the horse, it is the sooner 'wispit' or
cleaned."--_Kelly._

A bonnie gryce may mak an ugly sow.

"Fair in the cradle may be foul in the saddle."--_English._

A borrowed len' should gae laughing hame.

When we return an article which has been borrowed, to its owner, we
should do it with a good grace.

About the moon there is a brugh: the weather will be cauld and rough.

"The halo seen round the moon, being a consequence of the humidity
of the atmosphere, may well betoken wet weather."--_Robert
Chambers._

A bow o'erbent will weaken.

Abundance o' law breaks nae law.

A careless watch invites the thief.

A' cats are grey in the dark.

A clean synd's better than a dirty dry.

"A clean thing's kindly," quo' the wife when she turned her sark after a
month's wear.

A close mouth catches nae flees.

"A shut mouth keeps me out of strife."--_Portuguese._

A cock's aye crouse on his ain midden-head