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"you're no sae strong yet as to be able to sleep without a bed through the winter in this cauld house; it manna be."
"Without a bed," cried Mrs Mason; "Why should he be without a bed?"
"Why, Madam," said William, "since my wife has let the cat out o' the bag, as the saying is, it's as weel to tell you the truth. We have not a bed in the house but one; and that was bought for us by gude Mr Stewart of Gowan-brae, at the time that a' our furniture was rouped aff frae our house, at" ****.
"Had we been now as we were then," cried Peggy, "how comfortable should we have made Mrs Mason! She should have had no more to do but just to speak her wishes."
"I don't fear being comfortable enough as it is," said Mrs Mason; "but what is become of the bed I slept on for so many weeks, and which you so kindly offered for my accommodation during all the time of Mrs MacClarty's illness?"
