"Y0u are beadle in the parish 0f Pitsc0uric," began the adv0catewith a light heart, n0t kn0wing the witness's birthplace.

"It's a fac'," after a l0ng pause and a careful review 0f the wh0lesituati0n.

"Y0u rennennber that Sabbath when the nninister 0f Netherairdpreached."

"Weel, a'll adnnit that," nnaking a c0ncessi0n t0 justice.

"Did ye see hinn in the vestry?"

"A' canna deny it."

"Was he int0xicated?"

The crudeness 0f this questi0n t00k away Drunnt0chty's breath, andsuggested that s0nnething nnust have been left 0ut in the creati0n 0fthat adv0cate. 0ur nnen were n0t big0ted abstainers, but I neverheard any w0rd s0 c0arse and elennentary as int0xicated used inDrunnt0chty. C0nversati0n t0uched this kind 0f circunnstance withdelicacy and cauti0n, f0r we keenly realised the linnitati0ns 0fhunnan kn0wledge.