I 'm a queer man , and strange wi ' strangers ; but my word is my bond , and there 's the proof of it . '' Now , my uncle seemed so miserly that I was struck dumb by this sudden generosity , and could find no words in which to thank him . `` No a word ! '' said he . `` Nae thanks ; I want nae thanks . I do my duty . I 'm no saying that everybody would have done it ; but for my part -LRB- though I 'm a careful body , too -RRB- it 's a pleasure to me to do the right by my brother 's son ; and it 's a pleasure to me to think that now we 'll agree as such near friends should . '' I spoke him in return as handsomely as I was able ; but all the while I was wondering what would come next , and why he had parted with his precious guineas ; for as to the reason he had given , a baby would have refused it . Presently he looked towards me sideways . `` And see here , '' says he , `` tit for tat . '' I told him I was ready to prove my gratitude in any reasonable degree , and then waited , looking for some monstrous demand . And yet , when at last he plucked up courage to speak , it was only to tell me -LRB- very properly , as I thought -RRB- that he was growing old and a little broken , and that he would expect me to help him with the house and the bit garden . I answered , and expressed my readiness to serve . `` Well , '' he said , `` let 's begin . '' He pulled out of his pocket a rusty key . `` There , '' says he , `` there 's the key of the stair-tower at the far end of the house . Ye can only win into it from the outside , for that part of the house is no finished . Gang ye in there , and up the stairs , and bring me down the chest that 's at the top . There 's papers i n't , '' he added . `` Can I have a light , sir ? ''
XXXXX I. `` Na , '' said he , very cunningly .
'm 's expect given prove said saying see tell told