Guy Mannering.

266 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
in its right place. Some contusions on the brow and
shoulders she fomented with brandy, which the patient
did not permit till the medicine had paid a heavy toll to
his mouth. IMrs. Dinmont then simply, but kindly,
offered her assistance to Brown.
He assured her he had no occasion for any thing but
the accommodation of a basin and towel.
"And that's what I should have thought of sooner,"
she said; "and I did think o't, but I durst na open the
door, for there's a' the bairns, poor things, sae keen to
see their father."
This explained a great drumming and whining at the
door of the little parlour, which had somewhat surprised
Brown, though his kind landlady had only noticed it by
fastening the bolt as soon as she heard it begin. But on
her opening the door to seek the basin and towel, (for
she never thought of showing the guest to a separate
room,) a whole tide of white-headed urchins streamed
in, some from the stable, where they had been seeing
Dumple, and giving him a welcome home with part of
their four-hours scones; others from the kitchen, where
they had been listening to old Elspeth's tales and ballads;
and the youngest, half-naked, out of bed,-all roaring to
see daddy, and to inquire what he'had brought home for
them from the various fairs he had visited in his peregrinations. Our knight of the broken head first kissed
and hugged them all round, then distributed whis;tles,
penny-trumpets, and gingerbread; and lastly, when the
tumult of their joy and welcome got beyond bearing,
exclaimed to his guest-" This is a' the gudewife's fault,
Captain-she will gie the bairns a' their a.in way."
" Me! Lord help me!" said Ailie, who at that instant
entered with the basin and ewer, "how can I help it? —
I have naething else to gie theml poor things 1"