I told him such was my habit , but not to put himself about . `` Na , na , '' said he ; `` I 'll deny you nothing in reason . '' He fetched another cup from the shelf ; and then , to my great surprise , instead of drawing more beer , he poured an accurate half from one cup to the other . There was a kind of nobleness in this that took my breath away ; if my uncle was certainly a miser , he was one of that thorough breed that goes near to make the vice respectable . When we had made an end of our meal , my uncle Ebenezer unlocked a drawer , and drew out of it a clay pipe and a lump of tobacco , from which he cut one fill before he locked it up again . Then he sat down in the sun at one of the windows and silently smoked . From time to time his eyes came coasting round to me , and he shot out one of his questions . Once it was , `` And your mother ? '' and when I had told him that she , too , was dead , `` Ay , she was a bonnie lassie ! '' Then , after another long pause , `` Whae were these friends o ' yours ? '' I told him they were different gentlemen of the name of Campbell ; though , indeed , there was only one , and that the minister , that had ever taken the least note of me ; but I began to think my uncle made too light of my position , and finding myself all alone with him , I did not wish him to suppose me helpless . He seemed to turn this over in his mind ; and then , `` Davie , my man , '' said he , `` ye 've come to the right bit when ye came to your uncle Ebenezer . I 've a great notion of the family , and I mean to do the right by you ; but while I 'm taking a bit think to mysel ' of what 's the best thing to put you to -- whether the law , or the meenistry , or maybe the army , whilk is what boys are fondest of -- I wouldnae like the Balfours to be humbled before a wheen Hieland Campbells , and I 'll ask you to keep your tongue within your teeth . Nae letters ; nae messages ; no kind of word to onybody ; or else -- there 's my door . '' `` Uncle Ebenezer , '' said I , `` I 've no manner of reason to suppose you mean anything but well by me . For all that , I would have you to know that I have a pride of my own . It was by no will of mine that I came seeking you ; and if you show me your door again , I 'll take you at the word . '' He seemed grievously put out . `` Hoots-toots , '' said he , `` ca ' cannie , man -- ca ' cannie ! Bide a day or two .
I 'm nae warlock , to find a fortune for you in the bottom of a parritch bowl ; but just you give me a day or two , and say naething to naebody , and as sure as sure , I 'll do the XXXXX by you . ''
Balfours Davie Ebenezer Hoots-toots Na day mysel nobleness right tobacco