Harry Muir : $b A story of Scottish life, vol. 2 (of 3)Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)
General
Harry Muir : $b A story of Scottish life, vol. 2 (of 3)
Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)
Scotland -- Fiction
“See, my man, here’s the book,” said the old servant, shuffling up to
Harry. “Ye needna say onything to the minister about it, if ye should
happen to fall in with him, for, maybe, he mightna think it very richt
for a man of my years; and I’ll put it ben the house on the hob to
kindle the fire when I’m done reading it; but it’s awfu’ entertaining.
See, look at it; but I canna ca’ ye Allenders--Allenders was an auld
man, and you’re only a laddie. What do they ca’ ye by your christened
name?”
“My name is Harry Muir,” was the instant reply, for Harry had
unconsciously a feeling of disgust now at the very sound of Allenders.
“Hairy! What garred them ca’ ye Hairy? it’s no a canny name for a laird
of Allenders; and there’s never ane been called by it since the time
the lady was lost; but I hope ye’ll come to nae skaith, for you’re no
an ill lad, judging by your looks. And ye have leddies coming, have ye?
what right has the like of you to leddies?”
“My sisters and my wife, Adam,” said Harry, with a smile.
“His wife! hear till him! Will ye tell me that the like of this bit
callant’s married? Sirs, I never was married mysel.”
The poor old feeble Dragon looked round as he spoke with the air
of a hero, and lifting up his shrivelled hands, exhibited himself
complacently. But as he did this, his book fell, and stooping to pick
it up, he presented it to Harry, with an unmeaning smile.
Poor Dragon! it was a very rare and fine old edition of Shakespeare,
which his rough handling had by no means improved. Harry was not
sufficiently learned to know that it was curious and valuable, but
he saw its great age and antique appearance, and thought it might be
better employed than kindling Adam’s fire.
“When you are done with it, keep it for me, Dragon,” said Harry; “I
should like to look at it myself.”
The old man began to shake his head, slowly at first, but with a
gradually increasing rapidity of motion.
“I’m far from clear that it’s right to give the like o’ this to young
folk; it’s only those who by reason of use have their senses exercised
to discern both good and evil, the Apostle says; and you are but a babe
to be fed on the sincere milk. How mony sisters have ye, Mr. Hairy?”
“Three, Dragon.”
“Three sisters and ae wife! four women intill a house at ance! Come
your ways up the muckle stair,” said the old man, hastily, “and see the
bonnie rooms we’ve gotten to lodge them a’ in; and plenty of light and
plenty of windows, for a’ yon birkie says.”
The young men followed in silence.
On the second story there was a multitude of small rooms. One of them,
over the library, which they entered first, disclosed to Harry’s
half-reluctant eyes, the prettiest of little silvery burns, sparkling
away into the river, under the shelter of those overgrown trees which
made the under rooms so melancholy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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