Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 2 - 1819.djvu/299

Rh "And why not?" said Ravenswood, sharply; "who or what shall prevent me?"

"Even I mysel," said Caleb, with the same determination.

"You, Balderstone!" replied the Master, "you are forgetting yourself, I think."

"But I think no," said Balderstone; "for I can just tell you a' about the castle on this know-head as weel as if you were at it. Only dinna pit yoursel into a kippage, and expose yoursel before the weans, or before the Marquis, when ye gang down bye."

"Speak out, you old fool," replied his master, "and let me know the best and the worst at once."

"Ou, the best and warst is just that the tower is standing hail and fear, as safe and as empty as when ye left it."

"Indeed!—and the fire?" said Ravenswood.

"Not a gleed of fire, then, except the