“There’s been some quarrel atween you,” she said. “Tell me no lees: you’ve been setting up your face to your father, that’s just a gentleman and far above ye, as ye whiles do to me.”
“I tell no lies,” said the boy.
“That means ye just acknowledge to it, ye thrawn, vexatious callant? What’s that bit of paper lying at your feet?”
“Its of no consequence,” said Archie.
“But it is of consequence when I say so. Give it to me!”
“I will not touch it,” said the boy.
“Then I’ll touch it!” She stooped suddenly with a nimbleness for which Archie was unprepared and snatched the paper.
Then she gave a loud scream. “Preserve us a’! It’s nae less than a twenty-pound note. Lord, laddie, what did you say to him that he’s given you a twenty-pound note?”
“Give me the note!” said Archie hoarsely, holding out his hand.
“Atweel and I’ll do nothing of the kind. What was it for? Twenty pound! to the like of you that never had twenty pence! Archie Rowland, what is the meaning of this? It’s a thing I will no put up with to have notes (nots Mrs. Brown called them) lying about my carpet and naebody condescending to lift them up.”