Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 2 - 1819.djvu/316

306 warmth of imagination, of the probable change which was about to take place in his fortunes. He deposited with Balderstone, at the same time, the greater part of his slender funds, with an assurance which he was obliged to reiterate more than once, that he himself had sufficient supplies in certain prospect. He, therefore, enjoined Caleb, as he valued his favour, to desist from all further manœuvres against the inhabitants of Wolf's-hope, their cellars, poultry, yards, and substance whatsoever, in this prohibition, the old domestic acquiesced more readily than his master expected.

"It was doubtless," he said, "a shame, a discredit, and a sin, to harry the puir creatures, when the family were in circumstances to live honourably on their ain means; and there might be wisdom," he said, "in giving them a whiles breathing time, at any rate, that they might be the more readily brought forwards upon his honour's future occasions."

This matter being settled, and having