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Chapter 15
“Well,then,”saidtheoldgentleman,“Ihaveawordforyou,thatyouaretofollowyourfriendtohiscountry,byTorosay.”
HethenaskedmehowIhadfared,andItoldhimmytale.Asouth-countrymanwouldcertainlyhavelaughed;butthisoldgentleman(Icallhimsobecauseofhismanners,forhisclothesweredroppingoffhisback)heardmeallthroughwithnothingbutgravityandpity.WhenIhaddone,hetookmebythehand,ledmeintohishut(itwasnobetter)andpresentedmebeforehiswife,asifshehadbeentheQueenandIaduke.
Thegoodwomansetoat-breadbeforemeandacoldgrouse,pattingmyshoulderandsmilingtomeallthetime,forshehadnoEnglish;andtheoldgentleman(nottobebehind)brewedmeastrongpunchoutoftheircountryspirit.AllthewhileIwaseating,andafterthatwhenIwasdrinkingthepunch,Icouldscarcecometobelieveinmygoodfortune;andthehouse,thoughitwasthickwiththepeat-smokeandasfullofholesasacolander,seemedlikeapalace.
Thepunchthrewmeinastrongsweatandadeepslumber;thegoodpeopleletmelie;anditwasnearnoonofthenextdaybeforeItooktheroad,mythroatalreadyeasierandmyspiritsquiterestoredbygoodfareandgoodnews.Theoldgentleman,althoughIpressedhimhard,wouldtakenomoney,andgavemeanoldbonnetformyhead;thoughIamfreetoownIwasnosooneroutofviewofthehousethanIveryjealouslywashedthisgiftofhisinawaysidefountain.
ThoughtItomyself:“IfthesearethewildHighlanders,Icouldwishmyownfolkwilder.
