`` I 'm no just very popular the way it is , '' returned Ebenezer ; `` and I dinnae see how it would come to be kennt . No by me , onyway ; nor yet by you or your friends . So that 's idle talk , my buckie , '' says he . `` Then it 'll have to be David that tells it , '' said Alan . `` How that ? '' says my uncle , sharply . `` Ou , just this way , '' says Alan . `` My friends would doubtless keep your nephew as long as there was any likelihood of siller to be made of it , but if there was nane , I am clearly of opinion they would let him gang where he pleased , and be damned to him ! '' `` Ay , but I 'm no very caring about that either , '' said my uncle . `` I wouldnae be muckle made up with that . '' `` I was thinking that , '' said Alan . `` And what for why ? '' asked Ebenezer . `` Why , Mr. Balfour , '' replied Alan , `` by all that I could hear , there were two ways of it : either ye liked David and would pay to get him back ; or else ye had very good reasons for not wanting him , and would pay for us to keep him . It seems it 's not the first ; well then , it 's the second ; and blythe am I to ken it , for it should be a pretty penny in my pocket and the pockets of my friends . '' `` I dinnae follow ye there , '' said my uncle . `` No ? '' said Alan . `` Well , see here : you dinnae want the lad back ; well , what do ye want done with him , and how much will ye pay ? '' My uncle made no answer , but shifted uneasily on his seat .
`` Come , sir , '' cried XXXXX .
Alan Ay Balfour David Ou buckie first nane onyway siller