For my friends , '' added Alan , simply , `` are no very well off . '' My uncle cleared his throat . `` I 'm no very caring , '' says he . `` He wasnae a good lad at the best of it , and I 've nae call to interfere . '' `` Ay , ay , '' said Alan , `` I see what ye would be at : pretending ye do n't care , to make the ransom smaller . '' `` Na , '' said my uncle , `` it 's the mere truth . I take nae manner of interest in the lad , and I 'll pay nae ransome , and ye can make a kirk and a mill of him for what I care . '' `` Hoot , sir , '' says Alan . `` Blood 's thicker than water , in the deil 's name ! Ye cannae desert your brother 's son for the fair shame of it ; and if ye did , and it came to be kennt , ye wouldnae be very popular in your country-side , or I 'm the more deceived . '' `` 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 XXXXX .
Alan David Ebenezer Ou ay buckie country-side deil onyway siller