"To show him the house. Quite right, Spence; quite right; glad you did so." Then addressing Jock, he said, "Never here before, I suppose?"
Jock drew himself up, placed his hands along his sides, heels in, toes out, and gave the military salute.
"Been in the army? In what regiment? Have you seen service?"
"Yes, sir--yes, my lord," replied Jock; "as yer honour says, I ha'e seen service."
This was information to Spence, who breathed more freely on hearing such unexpected evidence of Jock's respectability.
"Where?" inquired his lordship, seating himself on one of the lobby chairs, and folding his arms.
"In the berrick-yaird o' Stirlin', yer honour," replied Jock; "but in what regiment I dinna mind. It was a first, second, or third something or anither; but I hae clean forgotten the name and number."
"The barrack-yard?" said his lordship, laughing; "pray how long did you serve his Majesty in that severe campaign?"
"Aboot a fortnicht," said Jock.
"What!" exclaimed his lordship; "a fortnight only? And what after that?"