He determined over and over again that Horace had a clever face, and might be of the greatest use to him. He found that he had for some time wanted some one who should be entirely devoted to himself--ready to pick up any information, to make any observation, to do whatever he wanted. He concluded at last that this was the very person; and when Horace came in next day he found himself engaged. The following morning he took his place among the others in the office. Thus he too had entered upon his life. CHAPTER VIII. "Eyeh, man! and that's a' the geed ye've done? If I had but had the sense to ging mysel'! Where's my son? Black be the day ye coom across this door, ye bletherin' Ould Hunderd! Where's my Sam? Eyeh, my purty boy, that was aye handy to a' things, and ne'er a crooked word in his mouth but when you crossed him, and a temper like an angel? Where's my Sam? Do you mean to tell me you've gane and you've coomed, John Gilsland, and brought nae guid news in your hand?" "The devil's i' the woman!" cried honest John. "Could I lay the lad on the front o' the mare, and bring him hame like a sack o' corn? He's sorry enough and sick enough by this time, if that's a consolation; but do you think it was me to face the sodger officers, and say he bud not to list?--and him _had_ listed, if I preached till the morn. Na, wife, he's fast and sure--as fast as the Ould Hunderd himsel'. If ye'll take my advice, the best thing you can do is to put up his bundle and make him commforable. He's brewed, and so must he drink. It's for better, for warse, like the marriage state itsel'." "And grand I would be taking _your_ advice!" said the landlady, more from habit than anger; "and a grand joodge you would mak' o' what a mother'll do for her son! Eyeh, away! I've nae pleasure in man nor woman. Oh, my Sammy! and after all the pains the Colonel took to speak a word to the lad himsel'; and after all his schooling and what was done for him; and a new waistcoat and buttons I bought him mysel' but a week agoo; and everything he could set his face to to make him commforable. Oh! Sammy, Sammy! what will ye say when your mother's grey hairs is brought to the grave in sorrow along o' you? I'll tear the een out o' that murderin' Ould Hunderd if he come near this door!--I will! if he was the best customer in twenty mile. What do I care for his dribble of drink and his deceiving tongue? If it hadn't been for him, I would ne'er have lost my Sammy, the best lad, though I say it as shouldn't, and the cleverest, ye could set your eyes on. I could have trusted him with every key in the house, I could; and the modestest lad! Praise him to his face, and he would colour up like a girl. If I had but had the sense to ging and speak to the offisher mysel'!"