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 Ebenezer , '' said I. And , `` It 's a braw nicht , Mr. Balfour , '' added Torrance . Never a word said my uncle , neither black nor white ; but just sat where he was on the top door-step and stared upon us like a man turned to stone . Alan filched away his blunderbuss ; and the lawyer , taking him by the arm , plucked him up from the doorstep , led him into the kitchen , whither we all followed , and set him down in a chair beside the hearth , where the fire was out and only a rush-light burning . There we all looked upon him for a while , exulting greatly in our success , but yet with a sort of pity for the man 's shame . `` Come , come , Mr. Ebenezer , '' said the lawyer , `` you must not be down-hearted , for I promise you we shall make easy terms . In the meanwhile give us the cellar key , and Torrance shall draw us a bottle of your father 's wine in honour of the event . '' Then , turning to me and taking me by the hand , `` Mr. David , '' says he , `` I wish you all joy in your good fortune , which I believe to be deserved . '' And then to Alan , with a spice of drollery , `` Mr. Thomson , I pay you my compliment ; it was most artfully conducted ; but in one point you somewhat outran my comprehension . Do I understand your name to be James ? or Charles ? or is it George , perhaps ? '' `` And why should it be any of the three , sir ? ''
quoth XXXXX , drawing himself up , like one who smelt an offence .
Alan David Ebenezer James Thomson door-step forby mair nicht whilk