“We are here rather to see how much may be offered.”
“I can well believe you. Still, you must know something of the price of beasts on hoofs. How much would you want for a good, fat stirk? Answer me that!”
The king glanced at his two companions, and his glance said as plainly as words, “Give me a hint, in heaven’s name, regarding the cost of a beast;” but in all Scotland he could not have found two men who knew less about the subject.
“Oh, well,” said the king, nonchalantly, not at all liking the turn affairs had taken, “I suppose we would be satisfied with twenty pounds,” and this being received with a roar of laughter, he added hastily, “twenty pounds Scots.”
“Oh,” said the big man, “I was afraid you were going to demand that amount in English currency. It is evident you will do well at the trade, if you can find such buyers.”
“Then make us an offer,” suggested the king, with the air of a man willing to listen to reason.
“Where are your cattle?”
“They’re in the north.”
“What part of the north?”