But here's Nature, the auld mither of all of us.

She shed a few quiet tears (a common circumstance wi' mithers on similar occasions); and 'Now, Jeannie,' said she, 'before ye go, I have just anither word or twa to say to ye' "'Dearsake, ma'am!'

But, patience, Ralph, patience; mayhap we'll find a mither for ye yet.

ye're as like to find the mither in high places as in low, an' liker too fra my way o' thinkin'.

Our daughter Margaret was now about eighteen, and her brother Andrew about fifteen; and as I thought it would do them good, I allowed them to gang wi' their mither to the bathing.