`` O , sirs ! '' cried Ebenezer . `` O , sirs , me ! that 's no kind of language ! '' `` Killed or kept ! '' repeated Alan . `` O , keepit , keepit ! '' wailed my uncle . `` We 'll have nae bloodshed , if you please . '' `` Well , '' says Alan , `` as ye please ; that 'll be the dearer . '' `` The dearer ? '' cries Ebenezer . `` Would ye fyle your hands wi ' crime ? '' `` Hoot ! '' said Alan , `` they 're baith crime , whatever ! And the killing 's easier , and quicker , and surer . Keeping the lad 'll be a fashious * job , a fashious , kittle business . '' * Troublesome . `` I 'll have him keepit , though , '' returned my uncle . `` I never had naething to do with onything morally wrong ; and I 'm no gaun to begin to pleasure a wild Hielandman . ''
`` Ye 're unco scrupulous , '' sneered XXXXX .
Alan Ebenezer Hielandman Hoot O gaun keepit lad naething wi