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 ? '' said I. `` Na , '' said he , very cunningly . `` Nae lights in my house . '' `` Very well , sir , '' said I. `` Are the stairs good ? '' `` They 're grand , '' said he ; and then , as I was going , `` Keep to the wall , '' he added ; `` there 's nae bannisters . But the stairs are grand underfoot . '' Out I went into the night . The wind was still moaning in the distance , though never a breath of it came near the house of Shaws .
It had fallen blacker than ever ; and I was glad to feel along the wall , till I XXXXX the length of the stairtower door at the far end of the unfinished wing .
bring came expect expressed finished refused says see speak win