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"You ken," answered Semple, who felt a trifle uneasy in the sudden

constraint, "I hae little skill in the ordering o' girl bairns The

Al, and I e; and, wi' all my infirmities and

simplicity,--anent women,--one that would hae been ht up e their business, and they hae the true religion I alad to hae him

settled near by My three eldest lads hae gone far off, Joris, as you

ken"

"I reinia Colony"-"To Norfolk,--tobacco brokers, andmoney My son Alexander--a

wise lad--went to Boston, and is in the African trade Ito be martyrs for

honesty and piety, which, indeed, in these days is mercifully not called

for As for Neil, he's our last bairn; and his mother and I would fain

keep hihter to our auld age,

and weel loved, and much made o'; and I hope baith Madam Van Heemskirk

and yoursel' will think with us"