The tenement children and the Heriot laddies have aye
made a pet of Bobby, but they would no' be competent witnesses."
"You should have counsel. There are some legal difficulties
here."
"I'm no' needing a lawyer. The law in sic a matter can no' be so
complicated, and I have a tongue in my ain head that has aye
served me, your Honor." The magistrate smiled, and the spectators
moved to the nearer benches to enjoy this racy man. The room
began to fill by that kind of telepathy
that causes crowds to gather around the human drama. One man
stood, unnoticed, in the doorway. Mr. Traill went on, quietly:
"If the court permits me to do so, I shall be glad to pay for
Bobby's license, but I'm thinking that carries responsibeelity
for the bit dog."
"You are quite right, Mr. Traill. You would have to assume
responsibility. Masterless dogs have become a serious nuisance in
the city."
"I could no' tak' responsibeelity. The dog is no' with me more
than a couple of hours out of the twenty-four. I understand that
most of his time is spent in the kirkyard, in weel-behaving,
usefu' ways, but I could no' be sure."
"But why have you fed him for so many years? Was his master a
friend?"
"Nae, just a customer, your Honor; a simple auld shepherd who ate
his market-day dinner in my place. He aye had the bit dog with
him, and I was the last man to see the auld body before he went
awa' to his meeserable death in a Cowgate wynd.
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