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Chapter 29
Itseemstherewasashiplostinthoseparts;andthenextdayagentlemanofmyfamilywasseekingwreck-woodforhisfirealongthesands,whenhecameuponaladthatwashalfdrowned.Well,hebroughthimto;andheandsomeothergentlemantookandclappedhiminanauld,ruinedcastle,wherefromthatdaytothishehasbeenagreatexpensetomyfriends.Myfriendsareaweewild-like,andnotsoparticularaboutthelawassomethatIcouldname;andfindingthattheladownedsomedecentfolk,andwasyourbornnephew,Mr.Balfour,theyaskedmetogiveyeabitcallandconferuponthematter.AndImaytellyeattheoff-go,unlesswecanagreeuponsometerms,yearelittlelikelytoseteyesuponhim.Formyfriends,”addedAlan,simply,“arenoverywelloff.”
Myuncleclearedhisthroat.“I’mnoverycaring,”sayshe.“Hewasnaeagoodladatthebestofit,andI’venaecalltointerfere.”
“Ay,ay,”saidAlan,“Iseewhatyewouldbeat:pretendingyedon’tcare,tomaketheransomsmaller.”
“Na,”saidmyuncle,“it’sthemeretruth.Itakenaemannerofinterestinthelad,andI’llpaynaeransome,andyecanmakeakirkandamillofhimforwhatIcare.”
“Hoot,sir,”saysAlan.“Blood’sthickerthanwater,inthedeil’sname!Yecannaedesertyourbrother’ssonforthefairshameofit;andifyedid,anditcametobekennt,yewouldnaebeverypopularinyourcountry-side,orI’mthemoredeceived.
