"Ay, he did. Thae terriers are sperity, by the ordinar'. Ane o'
them, let into the corn exchange a murky nicht, killed saxty in
ten meenits, an' had to be dragged awa' by the tail. Noo, what I
am gangin' to do wi' the takin' bit I dinna ken."
It is very certain that simple Mistress Jean Brown had never
heard of Mr. Dick's advice to Miss Betsy Trotwood on the occasion
when young David Copperfield presented himself, travel-stained
and weary, before his good aunt. But out of her experience of
wholesome living she brought forth the same wise opinion.
"I'd gie him a gude washin' first of a', Jamie. He leuks like
some puir, gaen-aboot dog." And she drew her short, blue-stuff
gown back from Bobby's grateful attentions.
Mr. Brown slapped his corduroy-breeked knee and nodded his
grizzled head. "Richt ye are. It's maist michty, noo, I wadna
think o' that. When I was leevin' as an under gairdener wi' a
laird i' Argyleshire I was aye aboot the kennels wi' the gillies.
That was lang syne. The sma' terrier dogs were aye washed i'
claes tubs wi' warm water an' soap. Come awa', Bobby."
The caretaker got up stiffly, for such snell weather was apt to
give him twinges in his joints. In him a youthful enthusiasm for
dogs had suddenly revived. Besides, although he would have denied
it, he was relieved at having the main issue, as to what was to
be done with this four-footed trespasser, side-tracked for a
time.
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