I was all this while chafing at the part I played , and sitting tongue-tied between shame and merriment ; but somehow at this I could hold in no longer , and bade Alan let me be , for I was better already . My voice stuck in my throat , for I ever hated to take part in lies ; but my very embarrassment helped on the plot , for the lass no doubt set down my husky voice to sickness and fatigue . `` Has he nae friends ? '' said she , in a tearful voice . `` That has he so ! '' cried Alan , `` if we could but win to them ! -- friends and rich friends , beds to lie in , food to eat , doctors to see to him -- and here he must tramp in the dubs and sleep in the heather like a beggarman . '' `` And why that ? '' says the lass . `` My dear , '' said Alan , `` I cannae very safely say ; but I 'll tell ye what I 'll do instead , '' says he , `` I 'll whistle ye a bit tune . '' And with that he leaned pretty far over the table , and in a mere breath of a whistle , but with a wonderful pretty sentiment , gave her a few bars of `` Charlie is my darling . '' `` Wheesht , '' says she , and looked over her shoulder to the door . `` That 's it , '' said Alan . `` And him so young ! '' cries the lass . `` He 's old enough to -- '' and Alan struck his forefinger on the back part of his neck , meaning that I was old enough to lose my head . `` It would be a black shame , '' she cried , flushing high . `` It 's what will be , though , '' said Alan , `` unless we manage the better . '' At this the lass turned and ran out of that part of the house , leaving us alone together . Alan in high good humour at the furthering of his schemes , and I in bitter dudgeon at being called a Jacobite and treated like a child .
`` Alan , '' I XXXXX , `` I can stand no more of this . ''
chafing cried eat furthering hold leaving lose ran say says