`` We 're just setting the house in order , Alan , '' said James , in his frightened and somewhat fawning way . `` They 'll search Appin with candles , and we must have all things straight . We 're digging the bit guns and swords into the moss , ye see ; and these , I am thinking , will be your ain French clothes . We 'll be to bury them , I believe . '' `` Bury my French clothes ! '' cried Alan . `` Troth , no ! '' And he laid hold upon the packet and retired into the barn to shift himself , recommending me in the meanwhile to his kinsman . James carried me accordingly into the kitchen , and sat down with me at table , smiling and talking at first in a very hospitable manner . But presently the gloom returned upon him ; he sat frowning and biting his fingers ; only remembered me from time to time ; and then gave me but a word or two and a poor smile , and back into his private terrors . His wife sat by the fire and wept , with her face in her hands ; his eldest son was crouched upon the floor , running over a great mass of papers and now and again setting one alight and burning it to the bitter end ; all the while a servant lass with a red face was rummaging about the room , in a blind hurry of fear , and whimpering as she went ; and every now and again one of the men would thrust in his face from the yard , and cry for orders . At last James could keep his seat no longer , and begged my permission to be so unmannerly as walk about . `` I am but poor company altogether , sir , '' says he , `` but I can think of nothing but this dreadful accident , and the trouble it is like to bring upon quite innocent persons . '' A little after he observed his son burning a paper which he thought should have been kept ; and at that his excitement burst out so that it was painful to witness . He struck the lad repeatedly . `` Are you gone gyte ? '' * he cried . `` Do you wish to hang your father ? '' and forgetful of my presence , carried on at him a long time together in the Gaelic , the young man answering nothing ; only the wife , at the name of hanging , throwing her apron over her face and sobbing out louder than before . * Mad .
This was all wretched for a stranger like myself to hear and see ; and I was right glad when XXXXX returned , looking like himself in his fine French clothes , though -LRB- to be sure -RRB- they were now grown almost too battered and withered to deserve the name of fine .
Alan Appin James Troth accident fire first gyte kinsman terrors