`` My dear , '' said Alan , `` I cannae very safely say ; but I 'll tell ye what I 'll do instead , '' says he , `` I 'll whistle ye a bit tune . '' And with that he leaned pretty far over the table , and in a mere breath of a whistle , but with a wonderful pretty sentiment , gave her a few bars of `` Charlie is my darling . '' `` Wheesht , '' says she , and looked over her shoulder to the door . `` That 's it , '' said Alan . `` And him so young ! '' cries the lass . `` He 's old enough to -- '' and Alan struck his forefinger on the back part of his neck , meaning that I was old enough to lose my head . `` It would be a black shame , '' she cried , flushing high . `` It 's what will be , though , '' said Alan , `` unless we manage the better . '' At this the lass turned and ran out of that part of the house , leaving us alone together . Alan in high good humour at the furthering of his schemes , and I in bitter dudgeon at being called a Jacobite and treated like a child . `` Alan , '' I cried , `` I can stand no more of this . '' `` Ye 'll have to sit it then , Davie , '' said he . `` For if ye upset the pot now , ye may scrape your own life out of the fire , but Alan Breck is a dead man . '' This was so true that I could only groan ; and even my groan served Alan 's purpose , for it was overheard by the lass as she came flying in again with a dish of white puddings and a bottle of strong ale . `` Poor lamb ! '' says she , and had no sooner set the meat before us , than she touched me on the shoulder with a little friendly touch , as much as to bid me cheer up . Then she told us to fall to , and there would be no more to pay ; for the inn was her own , or at least her father 's , and he was gone for the day to Pittencrieff . We waited for no second bidding , for bread and cheese is but cold comfort and the puddings smelt excellently well ; and while we sat and ate , she took up that same place by the next table , looking on , and thinking , and frowning to herself , and drawing the string of her apron through her hand . `` I 'm thinking ye have rather a long tongue , '' she said at last to Alan .
`` Ay '' said XXXXX ; `` but ye see I ken the folk I speak to . ''
Alan Breck Davie Jacobite Pittencrieff Wheesht dudgeon fall fire second