(_She breaks off in alarm as her father opens his mouth
preparatory to another yell, which however he postpones to speak
to_ JOHN.)
DAVID. Ye mind whit I was saying aboot the dispensation o'
Providence to help weans till they could try for theirselves,
John?
JOHN. Aye.
DAVID. Did it no' occur to ye then that there ought to be some
sort of dispensation to look after the auld yins who were past
it?
JOHN. No.
DAVID. Aweel--it didna occur to me at the time--(_and he lets off
another prolonged wail_).
LIZZIE (_going to him_). Shsh! Feyther! The neighbors will hear
ye!!!
DAVID (_desisting as before_). I ken fine; _I'm_ no' at the
back of the hoose. (_Shorter wail._)
LIZZIE (_almost in tears_). They'll be coming to ask.