the Fechars Road. But _I'm_ talling ye, I simply
will noat go to his house--to put up with a wheen damned insults!" he
puffed in angry recollection.

"To tell the truth," said Wylie, "I don't like to call upon Gourlay
either. I'm aware of his eyes on my back when I slink beaten through his
gate, and I feel that my hurdies are wanting in dignity!"

"Huh!" spluttered Brodie, "that never affects me. I come stunting out in
a bleeze of wrath and slam the yett ahint me!"

"Oh, well," said the Deacon, "that'th one way of being dignified."

"I'm afraid," said Sandy Toddle, "that he won't be in a very good key to
consider our request this morning, after his quarrel with Gilmour."

"No," said the Provost; "he'll be blazing angry! It's most unfoartunate.
But we maun try to get his consent, be his temper what it will. It's a
matter of importance to the town, doan't ye see, and if he refuses we
simply can-noat proceed wi' the improvement."

"It was Gilmour's jibe at the House wi' the Green Shutters that would
anger him the most, for it's the perfect god of his idolatry. Eh, sirs,
he has wasted an awful money upon yon house!"

"Wasted's the word!" said Brodie, with a blatant laugh. "Wasted's the
word! They say he has verra little lying cash! And I shouldna be
surprised at all. For, ye see, Gibson the builder diddled him owre the
building o't."

"Oh, I'se warrant Cunning Johnny would get the better of an ass like
Gourlay. But how in particular, Mr. Brodie? Have ye heard ainy details?"

"I've been on the track o' the thing for a while back, but it was only
yestreen I had the proofs o't. It was Robin Wabster that telled me. He's
a jouking bodie, Robin, and he was ahint a dike up the Skeighan Road
when Gibson and Gourlay forgathered--they stoppit just forenenst him!
Gourlay began to curse at the size of Gibson's bill, but Cunning Johnny
kenned the way to get round him brawly. 'Mr. Gourlay,' says he, 'there's
not a thing in your house that a man in your poseetion can afford to be
without, and ye needn't expect the best house in Barbie for an oald
song!' And Gourlay was pacified at once! It appeared frae their crack,
however, that Gibson has diddled him tremendous. 'Verra well then,'
Robin heard Gourlay cry, 'you must allow me a while ere I pay that!' I
wager, for a' sae muckle as he's made of late, that his balance at the
bank's a sma' yin."

"More thyow than thubstanth," said the Deacon.

"Well, I'm sure!" said the Provost,