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Meſs J We muſt firſt aſk ſome few queſtions at him, there is no harm can come on him here.
Mith. For as good company as you think yourſelves, I wad rather hae him in anither place.
(John kept in, and his mother put out)
Meſs J. Well John, you muſt tell us whither this child was gotten lang or you was married, or ſince: for I ſuppoſe by the time o' 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 o't, it was na ſae eaſy to me.
Meſs J. How long is it ſince ye was firſt acquaint.
Jock whan ſhe came to be my mither's laſs, I never ſaw her but ance before, an gin I had ne'er ſeen her, I had never kend her after ſic a faſhious faſhion.
Meſs J. How long was ſherving your mother?
Jock. Juſt twa hail years; an I gat her wi' bairn about a year after the came, an' its no a year yet ſince I was married.
Meſs J. Dear John there is a contradiction indeed, a woman cannot go two years with child.
Jock. Deed ſtir it was then the wean was firſt gotten.
Meſs J. A John, John, I find you ont to be a ſinful liver; you and that woman has had carnal dealings for ſometime: it is ill to keep the cow out of the corn, if ſhe once get a way o
