Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 2 - 1819.djvu/82

72 furnish forth the Master's table. "He's nae belly-god, that's ae blessing; and Bucklaw's gane, that could have eaten a horse behind the saddle. Cresses or water-purpie, and a bit oat-cake, can serve the Master for breakfast as weel as Caleb. Than for dinner—there's no muckle left on the spule-bane; it will brander though—it will brander very weel."

His triumphant calculations were interrupted by the Master, who communicated to him, not without some hesitation, his purpose to ride with the Lord Keeper as far as Ravenswood Castle, and to remain there for a day or two. "

"The mercy of Heaven forbid!" said the old serving-man, turning as pale as the table-cloth which he was folding up.

"And why, Caleb?" said his master, "why should the mercy of Heaven forbid my returning the Lord Keeper's visit?"

"Oh, sir!" replied Caleb—"O Mr Edgar! I am your servant, and it ill becomes me to speak—but I am an auld