`` David Balfour , '' said he , `` ye 're a very funny gentleman by your way of it , and this is a very funny employ for ye , no doubt . For all that , if ye have any affection for my neck -LRB- to say nothing of your own -RRB- ye will perhaps be kind enough to take this matter responsibly . I am going to do a bit of play-acting , the bottom ground of which is just exactly as serious as the gallows for the pair of us . So bear it , if ye please , in mind , and conduct yourself according . '' `` Well , well , '' said I , `` have it as you will . '' As we got near the clachan , he made me take his arm and hang upon it like one almost helpless with weariness ; and by the time he pushed open the change-house door , he seemed to be half carrying me . The maid appeared surprised -LRB- as well she might be -RRB- at our speedy return ; but Alan had no words to spare for her in explanation , helped me to a chair , called for a tass of brandy with which he fed me in little sips , and then breaking up the bread and cheese helped me to eat it like a nursery-lass ; the whole with that grave , concerned , affectionate countenance , that might have imposed upon a judge . It was small wonder if the maid were taken with the picture we presented , of a poor , sick , overwrought lad and his most tender comrade . She drew quite near , and stood leaning with her back on the next table . `` What 's like wrong with him ? '' said she at last . Alan turned upon her , to my great wonder , with a kind of fury . `` Wrong ? '' cries he . `` He 's walked more hundreds of miles than he has hairs upon his chin , and slept oftener in wet heather than dry sheets . Wrong , quo ' she ! Wrong enough , I would think ! Wrong , indeed ! '' and he kept grumbling to himself as he fed me , like a man ill-pleased . `` He 's young for the like of that , '' said the maid .
`` Ower young , '' said XXXXX , with his back to her .
Alan Balfour back change-house clachan mind nursery-lass return sips wonder