`` Na , '' says my uncle , `` but this is no a very chanty kind of a proceeding , and I 'm bound to be prepared . And now that we understand each other , ye 'll can name your business . '' `` Why , '' says Alan , `` you that are a man of so much understanding , will doubtless have perceived that I am a Hieland gentleman . My name has nae business in my story ; but the county of my friends is no very far from the Isle of Mull , of which ye will have heard . It seems there was a ship lost in those parts ; and the next day a gentleman of my family was seeking wreck-wood for his fire along the sands , when he came upon a lad that was half drowned . Well , he brought him to ; and he and some other gentleman took and clapped him in an auld , ruined castle , where from that day to this he has been a great expense to my friends . My friends are a wee wild-like , and not so particular about the law as some that I could name ; and finding that the lad owned some decent folk , and was your born nephew , Mr. Balfour , they asked me to give ye a bit call and confer upon the matter . And I may tell ye at the off-go , unless we can agree upon some terms , ye are little likely to set eyes upon him . For my friends , '' added Alan , simply , `` are no very well off . '' My uncle cleared his throat . `` I 'm no very caring , '' says he . `` He wasnae a good lad at the best of it , and I 've nae call to interfere . '' `` Ay , ay , '' said Alan , `` I see what ye would be at : pretending ye do n't care , to make the ransom smaller . '' `` Na , '' said my uncle , `` it 's the mere truth . I take nae manner of interest in the lad , and I 'll pay nae ransome , and ye can make a kirk and a mill of him for what I care . '' `` Hoot , sir , '' says Alan . `` Blood 's thicker than water , in the deil 's name ! Ye cannae desert your brother 's son for the fair shame of it ; and if ye did , and it came to be kennt , ye wouldnae be very popular in your country-side , or I 'm the more deceived . '' `` I 'm no just very popular the way it is , '' returned Ebenezer ; `` and I dinnae see how it would come to be kennt . No by me , onyway ; nor yet by you or your friends .
So that 's idle talk , my buckie , '' XXXXX he .
agree asked care deceived make says see seems take took