Gude kens where there 's a house ! We 're in Balwhidder , too ; there should be no want of houses , no , nor friends ' houses here . Do ye gang easier so , Davie ? '' `` Ay , '' said I , `` I can be doing this way ; '' and I pressed his arm with my hand . Again he came near sobbing . `` Davie , '' said he , `` I 'm no a right man at all ; I have neither sense nor kindness ; I could nae remember ye were just a bairn , I couldnae see ye were dying on your feet ; Davie , ye 'll have to try and forgive me . '' `` O man , let 's say no more about it ! '' said I. `` We 're neither one of us to mend the other -- that 's the truth ! We must just bear and forbear , man Alan . O , but my stitch is sore ! Is there nae house ? '' `` I 'll find a house to ye , David , '' he said , stoutly . `` We 'll follow down the burn , where there 's bound to be houses . My poor man , will ye no be better on my back ? '' `` O , Alan , '' says I , `` and me a good twelve inches taller ? '' `` Ye 're no such a thing , '' cried Alan , with a start . `` There may be a trifling matter of an inch or two ; I 'm no saying I 'm just exactly what ye would call a tall man , whatever ; and I dare say , '' he added , his voice tailing off in a laughable manner , `` now when I come to think of it , I dare say ye 'll be just about right . Ay , it 'll be a foot , or near hand ; or may be even mair ! '' It was sweet and laughable to hear Alan eat his words up in the fear of some fresh quarrel . I could have laughed , had not my stitch caught me so hard ; but if I had laughed , I think I must have wept too .
`` XXXXX , '' cried I , `` what makes ye so good to me ?
Alan Ay Balwhidder David Davie bairn burn forbear kens right