Викрадений

           Onceitwas,“Andyourmother?”andwhenIhadtoldhimthatshe,too,wasdead,“Ay,shewasabonnielassie!”Then,afteranotherlongpause,“Whaewerethesefriendso’yours?”

           ItoldhimtheyweredifferentgentlemenofthenameofCampbell;though,indeed,therewasonlyone,andthattheminister,thathadevertakentheleastnoteofme;butIbegantothinkmyunclemadetoolightofmyposition,andfindingmyselfallalonewithhim,Ididnotwishhimtosupposemehelpless.

           Heseemedtoturnthisoverinhismind;andthen,“Davie,myman,”saidhe,“ye’vecometotherightbitwhenyecametoyouruncleEbenezer.I’veagreatnotionofthefamily,andImeantodotherightbyyou;butwhileI’mtakingabitthinktomysel’ofwhat’sthebestthingtoputyouto—whetherthelaw,orthemeenistry,ormaybethearmy,whilkiswhatboysarefondestof—IwouldnaeliketheBalfourstobehumbledbeforeawheenHielandCampbells,andI’llaskyoutokeepyourtonguewithinyourteeth.Naeletters;naemessages;nokindofwordtoonybody;orelse—there’smydoor.”

           “UncleEbenezer,”saidI,“I’venomannerofreasontosupposeyoumeananythingbutwellbyme.Forallthat,IwouldhaveyoutoknowthatIhaveaprideofmyown.ItwasbynowillofminethatIcameseekingyou;andifyoushowmeyourdooragain,I’lltakeyouattheword.”

           Heseemedgrievouslyputout.“Hoots-toots,”saidhe,“ca’cannie,man—ca’cannie!Bideadayortwo.