Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 1 - 1819.djvu/197

Rh am sorry that the gentleman is under distress, but I am blyth that he canna say muckle again our house-keeping, for I believe his ain pinches may match ours,—no that we are pinched, thank God," he added, retracting the admission which he had made in his first burst of joy, "but nae doubt we are waur aft' than we hae been, or suld be. And for eating,—what signifies telling a lie? there's just the hinder end of the mutton-ham that has been but three times on the table, and the nearer the bane the sweeter, as your honours weel ken; and—there's the heel of the ewe-milk kebbuck, wi' a bit of nice butter, and—and—and that's a' that's to trust to." And with great alacrity he produced his slender stock of provisions, and placed them with much formality upon a small round table betwixt the two gentlemen, who were not deterred either by the homely quality or limited quantity of the repast from doing it full justice. Caleb in the mean-while waited on them with grave officiousness, as if