son will pass so, more than others that have been before him, he must actually come before the congregation three Sabbaths before he be absolved from the scandal, and get the benefit of any church privileges like any other honest man.
Mit. Indeed, Mess John, my son shall never set his hips upon't; if he maun come before you, I'se gar him stand a bit back frae't an hear what ye hae to say about fornication, twa harmless free bodies, passing their trial to see what they can do, ye that's Whigs may mak enough ⟨o't⟩, but I think na muckle about it.
Meſs John. Woman ye may go home and see what ye have to do; ye have a very bad tongue; 'tis no you we have to tak an account of,
Mit. Ay, ay, ye that's ministers and model fouk, may say sae, but if my son had tane as good tent o' his tail, as I can do o' my tongue, there had na been sae muckle about it, a wheen silly lowns kens na what they were made for, or how to guide a thing when they get it.
Mess John. Put her out, she's going to speak bady.
Mit. O ay, stir, I'se gang out, but I'll hae my bairn wi' me.
Mess John. We must first ask some questions at him, there is no harm can come on him here.
Mit. For as good company as you think yourselves, I wad rather hae him in anither place.
(John's kept in and his mother put out.)
Mess John. Well, John, yon must tell us whether this child was gotten before you was married, or since, for I suppose by the time of the birth it is much about the same time?
Jock. Hout ay, stir, it was gotten lang or I was married, I needna forget the getting, it was na sae easy to me.
Mess John. How long is it since yc was first acquaint?
