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The Piper s the plaid from his

shoulder, spread it upon the floor, and sat down

"Ye an, "that I hae muckle love for the snuff,

an' snuff is unco expenseeve in these parts"

"Well?" said I

"Ye maun ken, in the second place, that ma brither Alan canna'

abide the snuff"

"Your brother Alan!" said I wondering

"Ma brither Alan," he nodded gravely

"But what of him, what has he to do with--"

"Man, bide a wee I'"

"Weel, I'd hae ye tae ken I'm a braw, bonnie piper, an' raund piper

as me, bein' somewhat uncertain wi' his 'warblers,' ye ken, but a

bonnie piper, whateffer Aweel, mebbe a year syne, I fell in

love wi' a lassie, which wad ha' been a' richt if ma brither Alan

hadna' fallen in love wi' her too, so that she, puir lassie,

didna' ken which tae tak' 'Donal,' says Alan, 'can ye no love

anither lassie; she can no marry the twa o' us, that's sure!'

'Then, Alan,' says I, 'we'll juist play for her' Which I think

ye'll oas a graund idee, only the lassie couldna' juist mak'

up her reed, land