`` They , '' said he , meaning the collops , `` are such as I gave his Royal Highness in this very house ; bating the lemon juice , for at that time we were glad to get the meat and never fashed for kitchen . * Indeed , there were mair dragoons than lemons in my country in the year forty-six . '' * Condiment . I do not know if the collops were truly very good , but my heart rose against the sight of them , and I could eat but little . All the while Cluny entertained us with stories of Prince Charlie 's stay in the Cage , giving us the very words of the speakers , and rising from his place to show us where they stood . By these , I gathered the Prince was a gracious , spirited boy , like the son of a race of polite kings , but not so wise as Solomon . I gathered , too , that while he was in the Cage , he was often drunk ; so the fault that has since , by all accounts , made such a wreck of him , had even then begun to show itself . We were no sooner done eating than Cluny brought out an old , thumbed , greasy pack of cards , such as you may find in a mean inn ; and his eyes brightened in his face as he proposed that we should fall to playing . Now this was one of the things I had been brought up to eschew like disgrace ; it being held by my father neither the part of a Christian nor yet of a gentleman to set his own livelihood and fish for that of others , on the cast of painted pasteboard . To be sure , I might have pleaded my fatigue , which was excuse enough ; but I thought it behoved that I should bear a testimony . I must have got very red in the face , but I spoke steadily , and told them I had no call to be a judge of others , but for my own part , it was a matter in which I had no clearness . Cluny stopped mingling the cards . `` What in deil 's name is this ? '' says he . `` What kind of Whiggish , canting talk is this , for the house of Cluny Macpherson ? '' `` I will put my hand in the fire for Mr. Balfour , '' says Alan . `` He is an honest and a mettle gentleman , and I would have ye bear in mind who says it . I bear a king 's name , '' says he , cocking his hat ; `` and I and any that I call friend are company for the best . But the gentleman is tired , and should sleep ; if he has no mind to the cartes , it will never hinder you and me . And I 'm fit and willing , sir , to play ye any game that ye can name . ''
`` Sir , '' says XXXXX , `` in this poor house of mine I would have you to ken that any gentleman may follow his pleasure .
Balfour Cage Christian Cluny Macpherson Prince Solomon cartes collops fall