He leed in his throat that tauld ye that . Kidnapped ? He never was ! '' `` That 's no fault of mine nor yet of yours , '' said Alan ; `` nor yet of Hoseason 's , if he 's a man that can be trusted . '' `` What do ye mean ? '' cried Ebenezer . `` Did Hoseason tell ye ? '' `` Why , ye donnered auld runt , how else would I ken ? '' cried Alan . `` Hoseason and me are partners ; we gang shares ; so ye can see for yoursel ' what good ye can do leeing . And I must plainly say ye drove a fool 's bargain when ye let a man like the sailor-man so far forward in your private matters . But that 's past praying for ; and ye must lie on your bed the way ye made it . And the point in hand is just this : what did ye pay him ? '' `` Has he tauld ye himsel ' ? '' asked my uncle . `` That 's my concern , '' said Alan . `` Weel , '' said my uncle , `` I dinnae care what he said , he leed , and the solemn God 's truth is this , that I gave him twenty pound . But I 'll be perfec ` ly honest with ye : forby that , he was to have the selling of the lad in Caroliny , whilk would be as muckle mair , but no from my pocket , ye see . '' `` Thank you , Mr. Thomson . That will do excellently well , '' said the lawyer , stepping forward ; and then mighty civilly , `` Good-evening , Mr. Balfour , '' said he .
And , `` Good-evening , Uncle XXXXX , '' said I. And , `` It 's a braw nicht , Mr. Balfour , '' added Torrance .
Balfour Ebenezer Hoseason Thomson Weel auld forby himsel mair yoursel