He asked me if I had breakfasted ; and hearing that I lacked for nothing , he took my hand in both of his and clapped it kindly under his arm . `` Well , Davie , lad , '' said he , `` I will go with you as far as the ford , to set you on the way . '' And we began to walk forward in silence . `` Are ye sorry to leave Essendean ? '' said he , after awhile . `` Why , sir , '' said I , `` if I knew where I was going , or what was likely to become of me , I would tell you candidly . Essendean is a good place indeed , and I have been very happy there ; but then I have never been anywhere else . My father and mother , since they are both dead , I shall be no nearer to in Essendean than in the Kingdom of Hungary , and , to speak truth , if I thought I had a chance to better myself where I was going I would go with a good will . '' `` Ay ? '' said Mr. Campbell . `` Very well , Davie . Then it behoves me to tell your fortune ; or so far as I may . When your mother was gone , and your father -LRB- the worthy , Christian man -RRB- began to sicken for his end , he gave me in charge a certain letter , which he said was your inheritance . ` So soon , ' says he , ` as I am gone , and the house is redd up and the gear disposed of ' -LRB- all which , Davie , hath been done -RRB- , ` give my boy this letter into his hand , and start him off to the house of Shaws , not far from Cramond . That is the place I came from , ' he said , ` and it 's where it befits that my boy should return . He is a steady lad , ' your father said , ` and a canny goer ; and I doubt not he will come safe , and be well lived where he goes . ' '' `` The house of Shaws ! '' I cried . `` What had my poor father to do with the house of Shaws ? '' `` Nay , '' said Mr. Campbell , `` who can tell that for a surety ?
But the name of that family , XXXXX , boy , is the name you bear -- Balfours of Shaws : an ancient , honest , reputable house , peradventure in these latter days decayed .
Ay Campbell Christian Cramond Davie Essendean Hungary Shaws redd surety