Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/289

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doleful tone. "My poor Sandie! I never had the heart to contradick him sin' he was born, and now to think what command he maun he under! But I ken he'll ne'er submit to it, nor will I ever submit to it either. We have eneugh o' substance to buy him aff, and if we sell to the last rag, he shall neyer gang wi' these sogers; he never shall."

"You speak weakly, and without consideration," rejoined the minister. "Your duty, as a parent, is to teach your children to obey the laws of God, and of their country. By nourishing them in disobedience, you have prepared their hearts to rebel against the one, and to disrespect the other. And now that you see what the consequence has been to this son, whom ungoverned self-will has brought to the very brink of destruction, instead of being convinced of your error, you persist in it, and would glory in repeating it. Happily your son is wiser; he has profit-