says he . `` Give me Alexander 's letter . '' `` You know my father 's name ? '' `` It would be strange if I didnae , '' he returned , `` for he was my born brother ; and little as ye seem to like either me or my house , or my good parritch , I 'm your born uncle , Davie , my man , and you my born nephew . So give us the letter , and sit down and fill your kyte . '' If I had been some years younger , what with shame , weariness , and disappointment , I believe I had burst into tears . As it was , I could find no words , neither black nor white , but handed him the letter , and sat down to the porridge with as little appetite for meat as ever a young man had . Meanwhile , my uncle , stooping over the fire , turned the letter over and over in his hands . `` Do ye ken what 's in it ? '' he asked , suddenly . `` You see for yourself , sir , '' said I , `` that the seal has not been broken . '' `` Ay , '' said he , `` but what brought you here ? '' `` To give the letter , '' said I. `` No , '' says he , cunningly , `` but ye 'll have had some hopes , nae doubt ? '' `` I confess , sir , '' said I , `` when I was told that I had kinsfolk well-to-do , I did indeed indulge the hope that they might help me in my life . But I am no beggar ; I look for no favours at your hands , and I want none that are not freely given . For as poor as I appear , I have friends of my own that will be blithe to help me . '' `` Hoot-toot ! '' said Uncle Ebenezer , `` dinnae fly up in the snuff at me . We 'll agree fine yet . And , Davie , my man , if you 're done with that bit parritch , I could just take a sup of it myself .
Ay , '' he continued , as soon as he had ousted me from the stool and spoon , `` they 're fine , halesome food -- they 're grand food , XXXXX . ''
Alexander Ay Davie Ebenezer Hoot-toot favours kyte parritch snuff years