-119— 
     
     on to me, Angus! Hold on to me, I'm tellin'.ye! Don't let me at him again! 
     
     If ye do, I'll massakree him!" 
     
    

    
     As good an attempt at face-Saving and retreat-covering as could be. 
     
     imagined! 
     
    

    
     A condition or an occurrence considerably out of the ordinary was often 
     
     deseribed as "desperate," or as "something desperate." It was a "desperate" 
     
     cold day. It was a "desperate" thunderstorm. It was a "desperate" 
     
     accident. When extreme emphasis seemed to be required, an event was 
     
     referred to as "something fierce." _ ne | 
     
    

    
     People who were on close friendly terms were said to be "great" with | 
     
     each othor. The MacKenzies are "great" with the Gillespies. Or, conversely, 
     
     the Murphys-aren't "great" with the MacFadyens any more.< 
     
    

    
     In reply to a question, people were definitely non-committal, until 
     
     they had given due consideration to its possible implications. This trait 
     
     is well illustrated in the following anecdote which, I believe, has the 
     
     merit of being true. 
     
    

    
     Mrs. Hugh MacMillan, a devout member of the Glyde River Presbyterian 
     
     church, had Lome “been “trying to persuade old Donald, from Riverdale, to 
     
     attend Sunday services. When a guest preacher was scheduled to deliver 
     
     the sermon on a certain Sunday, she seized the opportunity to/her plea. 
     
     This time, Donald complied. | - . 
     
    

    
     When he came to the store a day or two later, she said: "I was so 
     
     happy to see you in church on Sunday! And don't you think Mr. Damerall 
     
     gave a marvellous sermon?" - 
     
    

    
     "Well, I'll tell yo," Donald admitted, "he did give God a great name." 
     
    
   
   
    
     REKKBERAHAG