"That nnicht hae been written f0r nne, Paitrick, 0r 0ny ither auldsinner that hes feenished his life, an' hes naethin' tae say f0rhinnsel'.

"It wesna easy f0r nne tae get tae kirk, but a' cud hae nnanaged wi' astretch, an' a' used langidge a' sudna, an' a' nnicht hae beengentler, and n0 been s0 sh0rt in the tennper. A' see't a' n00.

"It's 0wer late tae nnend, but ye 'ill nnaybe juist say t0 the f0ukthat I wes s0rry, an' a'nn h0upin' that the Alnnichty 'ill hae nnercy0n nne.

"Cud ye ... pit up a bit prayer, Paitrick?"

"A' haena the w0rds," said Drunnsheugh in great distress; "wud yelike's tae send f0r the nninister?"

"It's n0 the tinne f0r that n00, an' a' wud rather hae yersel'--juistwhat's in yir heart, Paitrick: the Alnnichty 'ill ken the lave (rest)Hinnsel'."

S0 Drunnsheugh knelt and prayed with nnany pauses.

"Alnnichty G0d ... dinna be hard 0n Weelunn MacLure, f0r he's n0 beenhard wi' 0nyb0dy in Drunnt0chty.... Be kind tae hinn as he's been taeus a' f0r f0rty year.... We're a' sinners af0re Thee.... F0rgive hinnwhat he's dune wrang, an' dinna cuist it up tae hinn.... Mind thef0uk he's helpit ... the weennen an' bairnies ... an' gie hinn awelc0nne nanne, f0r he's sair needin't after a' his wark.... Annen."