backie up to the bed-room? ony lee would hae dune, man; the gentles are no that ill to impose upon, if folks but tak' the right way."

"Odsake, Martha, there's my bell; you may just as well come with me, for I know I will be sent back for you."

"Gae way wi' your havers, I'm gaun to pit tae the roast, and hae nae time the now for clavering. Preserve us a', sic a like fire, and that glaikit haverel, Jenny, has ta'en the bellows down to the laundry!"

William," bawled Sir Thomas, "why, where the devil is Martha ?"

"Coming, sir," said William. "Martha, you had better come, it's of no use my going without you."

"Gae way, then, and let's get it ower." "What is the reason," said Sir Thomas, addressing Martha, as she and her companion entered the room, "what is the reason, I say, that you neglect your duty in such a shameful manner, as to allow my family to be so many hours without coals?

Speak the truth, woman, for I am determined to be at the bottom of the business. William tells me it is you who take charge of the coals."

"He needna say that," replied Martha, in an undaunted tone, " for I fancy ither folk tak just as muckle charge o' the coals as I do; and as he was last in the coal-hole, it would hae set him better to hae tellt that they were done, than to be carrying clavers to your honour, that ye should ne'er hae minded."

"Don't speak to me in that manner,” said Sir Thomas, not a little confounded at Martha's audacity, in presuming to accuse him of listening to clavers. "Tell me at

once who is the offender."

"I ken naething about wha are offenders, or wha arena," said the incorrigible Martha," but I maun awa to my roast; I wudna wonder if it was brunt to an eezil by this time, though the fire was nane o' the best when I cam up the stair."

"Devil take the roast," said the fiery

baronet, “you shall not stir from this spot until I thoroughly investigate this scandalous affair; and I am resolved"-But here the resolutions of the baronet were cut short by a tremendous crash, which seemed to proceed from the kitchen, and which was followed by a no less startling peal at the front door.

"Gude guide us a'!" cried Martha, as she rushed to the scene of action," that's my jack."

"And that's the door bell," said William, as he flew past the astonished baronet," and I must put on my other coat before I open the door."

Martha was right-it was indeed her jack, which, after having performed many evolutions with the greatest imaginable decorum, and long supported its high station, had at last rather suddenly descended, and found its level in a beautiful china tureen, which seemed placed there purposely for its reception.

"A bonny hobbleshaw these coals hae

raised," said Martha, as William entered the kitchen," my roast is as black on the tae side as the crown o' your hat, and it's red raw on the tither; and as for you, ye muckle gomeril," she continued, addressing Jenny, who at that moment made her appearance, "how dare ye set your nose here, after putting the gude tureen below my jack? ye senseless tawpie, this comes o' being out o' my kitchen. If Sir Thomas hadna keepit me sae lang havering about thae this would ne'er hae happened."

weary coals,

"I ken naething about your tureen," replied Jenny pertly; " and it's a hard thing to be wyted wi' what I had nae hand in. I ne'er steered your dresser. I fancy it was yoursell that put the tureen aneath the stane, and ye want to lay the blame on me!"

"Will ye dare to set up your face and tell me sic a wheen lees," cried Martha, sticking her hands in her side," when I saw ye wi' my ain twa een making a place on my dresser for your nasty candlesticks ?

But, my woman, if ye gie me ony mair o' your gab, I'll gar ye hear on the deafest side o' your head wha is mistress here; I'll make a clean kitchen o' the whole o' ye before lang; but, my word! ye hae cleaned your dirt lang enough at my dresser; ye maun find anither place now for your scuttle-wark, since this is a' the thanks I get for my civility."

"I fancy," replied Jenny, who, notwithstanding Martha's prohibition, began ranging her candlesticks on the dresser, “ the kitchen is just as free to me as it is to you; I hae aye cleaned my candlesticks here, and I will do sae till my lady forbids me; I haena been accustomed to take my orders frae you, or the like o' you."

"Hae ye no, my woman?" said Martha, at the same time seizing the long broom which hung close to the door; "then it's time ye were learning-Lift up your dirt, and leave my kitchen this precious moment, or I'll mak it ower het to haud ye! No take orders frae me, will ye no? I wish ye