breed that goes near to make the vice respectable.

When we had made an end of our meal, my uncle Ebenezer unlocked a

drawer, and drew out of it a clay pipe and a lump of tobacco, from which

he cut one fill before he locked it up again. Then he sat down in the

sun at one of the windows and silently smoked. From time to time his

eyes came coasting round to me, and he shot out one of his questions.

Once it was, "And your mother?" and when I had told him that she, too,

was dead, "Ay, she was a bonnie lassie!" Then, after another long pause,

"Whae were these friends o' yours?"

I told him they were different gentlemen of the name of Campbell;

though, indeed, there was only one, and that the minister, that had ever

taken the least note of me; but I began to think my uncle made too light

of my position, and finding myself all alone with him, I did not wish

him to suppose me helpless.

He seemed to turn this over in his mind; and then, "Davie, my man," said

he, "ye've come to the right bit when ye came to your uncle Ebenezer.

I've a great notion of the family, and I mean to do the right by you;

but while I'm taking a bit think to mysel' of what's the best thing to

put you to--whether the law, or the meenistry, or maybe the army, whilk

is what boys are fondest of--I wouldnae like the Balfours to be humbled

before a wheen Hieland Campbells, and I'll ask you to keep your tongue

within your teeth. Nae letters; nae messages; no kind of word to

onybody; or else--there's my door."

"Uncle Ebenezer," said I, "I've no manner of reason to suppose you mean

anything but well by me. For all that, I would have you to know that I

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