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Mith. Deed ſtir, he's no denying the bairn but he'll no hae the black ſtool.
Juſt. Ay, but I tell you, them that gets baſtard, gets the black ſtool to the bargain and as he is in my hands now, he muſt ſin caution that he will anſwer the ſeſſion, and be ſubject to the law.
Mith. Ony thing ye like, ſtir, but the ſhameful ſtance the black ſtool; here's ⟨encle⟩ Robby, an auld Sandy the ſutor, will be ⟨caution⟩ that we's face the ſeſſion on Sunday; ⟨the⟩ lad's wae enough that he did it, but he ⟨canna⟩ help it now, the wean's born and by-hand ſae good night wi' your honours ladyſhip, ⟨an⟩ the firſt time e'er I was before you.
On Sabboth after ſermon the ſeſſion ⟨met.⟩ John an his mither is call'd upon; he ⟨entered⟩ couragiouſly, ſaying goode'en to you maſter, miniſter, bellman, and elders a'; my mither ⟨an⟩ me is baith here.
Meſs John. Then let her in: Come ⟨awa⟩ goodwife, what's the reaſon you keep your ⟨ſon⟩ ſo long back from anſwering the ſeſſion, you ⟨fin⟩ it is the thing you are obliged to do at laſt.
Mith. Deed ſtir, I think there needs na ⟨be⟩ nae mair wark about it; I think whan he's gie the lazy hulk the mither o't. baith meal ⟨an⟩ grots to maintain it ye needna faſh him; ⟨he is⟩ a dutiful father indeed weel I wat, whan ⟨he⟩ feeds his byſtards ſae weel.
Meſs John. Woman, are ye a hearer of the goſpel, that ye reject the dictates of it? ⟨How⟩
