Second.Sermon Against Women 165

“From his wife, for instance,” said Babbie,
whereupon Gavin suddenly became interested in
the floor.

“ Ay, ay, the minister was hitting at you there,
Babbie,” Nanny explained, “for the way you
made off wi’ the captain’s cloak. The Thrums
folk wondered less at your taking it than at your
no keeping it. It’s said to be michty grand.”

“ Tt was rather like the one the minister’s wife
gave him,” said Babbie.

“The minister has neither a wife nor a cloak,”
retorted Nanny.

“Fle isn’t married?” asked Babbie, the picture
of incredulity.

Nanny gathered from the minister’s face that
he deputed to her the task of enlightening this
ignorant girl, so she replied, with emphasis, “ Na,
they hinna got him yet, and I’m cheated if it
doesna tak them all their time.”

Thus do the best of women sell their sex for
nothing.

“J did wonder,” said the Egyptian, gravely,
“at any mere woman’s daring to marry such a
minister.”

“ Ay,” replied Nanny, spiritedly, “ but there’s
dauring limmers wherever there’s a single man.”

““So I have often suspected,” said Babbie, duly
shocked. ‘ But, Nanny, I was told the minister
had a wife, by one who said he saw her.”

“He lied, then,” answered Nanny, turning to
Gavin for further instructions.

“ But, see, the minister does not deny the
horrid charge himself.”

“No, and for the reason he didna deny the