When we came to the door he was seated by his rock chimney , watching a gillie about some cookery . He was mighty plainly habited , with a knitted nightcap drawn over his ears , and smoked a foul cutty pipe . For all that he had the manners of a king , and it was quite a sight to see him rise out of his place to welcome us . `` Well , Mr. Stewart , come awa ' , sir ! '' said he , `` and bring in your friend that as yet I dinna ken the name of . '' `` And how is yourself , Cluny ? '' said Alan . `` I hope ye do brawly , sir . And I am proud to see ye , and to present to ye my friend the Laird of Shaws , Mr. David Balfour . '' Alan never referred to my estate without a touch of a sneer , when we were alone ; but with strangers , he rang the words out like a herald . `` Step in by , the both of ye , gentlemen , '' says Cluny . `` I make ye welcome to my house , which is a queer , rude place for certain , but one where I have entertained a royal personage , Mr. Stewart -- ye doubtless ken the personage I have in my eye . We 'll take a dram for luck , and as soon as this handless man of mine has the collops ready , we 'll dine and take a hand at the cartes as gentlemen should . My life is a bit driegh , '' says he , pouring out the brandy ; `` I see little company , and sit and twirl my thumbs , and mind upon a great day that is gone by , and weary for another great day that we all hope will be upon the road . And so here 's a toast to ye : The Restoration ! '' Thereupon we all touched glasses and drank . I am sure I wished no ill to King George ; and if he had been there himself in proper person , it 's like he would have done as I did . No sooner had I taken out the drain than I felt hugely better , and could look on and listen , still a little mistily perhaps , but no longer with the same groundless horror and distress of mind . It was certainly a strange place , and we had a strange host . In his long hiding , Cluny had grown to have all manner of precise habits , like those of an old maid .
He had a particular place , where no one else must sit ; the Cage was arranged in a particular way , which none must disturb ; XXXXX was one of his chief fancies , and even while he was greeting us in , he kept an eye to the collops .
Cluny George Shaws Stewart cartes cookery day gillie nightcap twirl