A Scotch Criticism on “My Dear.”

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6266, 12 July 1890, Page 3

A Scotch Criticism on “My Dear.”

The gossips of the village of Thrums were discussing the visitors at " Tammas Haggart’s but-and-ben in the tenements.” DanT Spens, after much desultory talk, remarks that his wife “ cried in at Susie’s yestreen to get a look at Rob and the wife. Ay (he goes on reflectively) it was gey curious.” “ What was ?” >< The wy Hob spoke to the wife— I mean to his.ain wife —I dinna ken that I like it.” “ But what did he say ?” “ It was what he called her that scunnered Mag. Ay, he called her * dear.’ ” “ And folk there p” •

" And folk there —namely, Mag and Susie Mag is ready to take oath she heard hirii say 1 - ‘ Hand me that book, dear ’ ; and syne, ‘ Are you not sitting in the draught, dear ?’ ” “ Losh, loah, I wouldna have thocht that of Hob Angus. And what wns’t she was sitting in ?” “ The. draught. It’s a wicker ohair they brocht frao London to Susie.” “ It maun be fell trying to Susie to hoar him saying ‘ dear.’” “ Ay. Mag says it keeps Susie frae being ower lifted up at having sic grand folk biding . wi’her. But to think o’ Hob Angus saying 1 dear!’ ” “ It’s astonishing to the .like o you twa, broke in Haggart, "but I canna say I’m Staggered. I dinna call Christy, there, ‘ dear ’ " here ho lowered bis voice—” for I question

if she would stand it; but in my travels I heard fouk flinging ‘ dear * about as though it was as cheap as porridge ; and, lads, I got no to be nane shocked. But, of course, it all depends on whether you’re a humorist.”