"But James Ratcliffe is your present name?--what is your trade?"
"I canna just say, distinctly, that I have what ye wad ca' preceesely a
trade."
"But," repeated the magistrate, "what are your means of living--your
occupation?"
"Hout tout--your honour, wi' your leave, kens that as weel as I do,"
replied the examined.
"No matter, I want to hear you describe it," said the examinant.
"Me describe!--and to your honour!--far be it from Jemmie Ratcliffe,"
responded the prisoner.
"Come, sir, no trifling--I insist on an answer."
"Weel, sir," replied the declarant, "I maun make a clean breast, for ye
see, wi' your leave, I am looking for favour--Describe my occupation,
quo' ye?--troth it will be ill to do that, in a feasible way, in a place
like this--but what is't again that the aught command says?"
"Thou shalt not steal," answered the magistrate.
"Are you sure o' that?" replied the accused.--"Troth, then, my
occupation, and that command, are sair at odds, for I read it, thou
_shalt_ steal; and that makes an unco difference, though there's but a
wee bit word left out."
"To cut the matter short, Ratcliffe, you have been a most notorious
thief," said the examinant.
"I believe Highlands and Lowlands ken that, sir, forby England and
Holland," replied Ratcliffe, with the greatest composure and effrontery.
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