Похищенный
Chapter 1
Whenyourmotherwasgone,andyourfather(theworthy,Christianman)begantosickenforhisend,hegavemeinchargeacertainletter,whichhesaidwasyourinheritance.‘Sosoon,’sayshe,‘asIamgone,andthehouseisreddupandthegeardisposedof’(allwhich,Davie,hathbeendone),‘givemyboythisletterintohishand,andstarthimofftothehouseofShaws,notfarfromCramond.ThatistheplaceIcamefrom,’hesaid,‘andit’swhereitbefitsthatmyboyshouldreturn.Heisasteadylad,’yourfathersaid,‘andacannygoer;andIdoubtnothewillcomesafe,andbewelllivedwherehegoes.’”
“ThehouseofShaws!”Icried.“WhathadmypoorfathertodowiththehouseofShaws?”
“Nay,”saidMr.Campbell,“whocantellthatforasurety?Butthenameofthatfamily,Davie,boy,isthenameyoubear—BalfoursofShaws:anancient,honest,reputablehouse,peradventureintheselatterdaysdecayed.Yourfather,too,wasamanoflearningasbefittedhisposition;nomanmoreplausiblyconductedschool;norhadhethemannerorthespeechofacommondominie;but(asyewillyourselfremember)Itookayeapleasuretohavehimtothemansetomeetthegentry;andthoseofmyownhouse,CampbellofKilrennet,CampbellofDunswire,CampbellofMinch,andothers,allwell-kennedgentlemen,hadpleasureinhissociety.Lastly,toputalltheelementsofthisaffairbeforeyou,hereisthetestamentaryletteritself,superscrivedbytheownhandofourdepartedbrother.
