`` For if ye upset the pot now , ye may scrape your own life out of the fire , but Alan Breck is a dead man . '' This was so true that I could only groan ; and even my groan served Alan 's purpose , for it was overheard by the lass as she came flying in again with a dish of white puddings and a bottle of strong ale . `` Poor lamb ! '' says she , and had no sooner set the meat before us , than she touched me on the shoulder with a little friendly touch , as much as to bid me cheer up . Then she told us to fall to , and there would be no more to pay ; for the inn was her own , or at least her father 's , and he was gone for the day to Pittencrieff . We waited for no second bidding , for bread and cheese is but cold comfort and the puddings smelt excellently well ; and while we sat and ate , she took up that same place by the next table , looking on , and thinking , and frowning to herself , and drawing the string of her apron through her hand . `` I 'm thinking ye have rather a long tongue , '' she said at last to Alan . `` Ay '' said Alan ; `` but ye see I ken the folk I speak to . '' `` I would never betray ye , '' said she , `` if ye mean that . '' `` No , '' said he , `` ye 're not that kind . But I 'll tell ye what ye would do , ye would help . '' `` I couldnae , '' said she , shaking her head . `` Na , I couldnae . '' `` No , '' said he , `` but if ye could ? '' She answered him nothing . `` Look here , my lass , '' said Alan , `` there are boats in the Kingdom of Fife , for I saw two -LRB- no less -RRB- upon the beach , as I came in by your town 's end . Now if we could have the use of a boat to pass under cloud of night into Lothian , and some secret , decent kind of a man to bring that boat back again and keep his counsel , there would be two souls saved -- mine to all likelihood -- his to a dead surety . If we lack that boat , we have but three shillings left in this wide world ; and where to go , and how to do , and what other place there is for us except the chains of a gibbet -- I give you my naked word , I kenna ! Shall we go wanting , lassie ? Are ye to lie in your warm bed and think upon us , when the wind gowls in the chimney and the rain tirls on the roof ?
Are ye to eat your meat by the cheeks of a red fire , and XXXXX upon this poor sick lad of mine , biting his finger ends on a blae muir for cauld and hunger ?
Look came give gone ken lack said see smelt think