“Alan!” cried I, “you slept all night, and I am here to prove it.”
“Ay, but I would never trust Alan whether he was asleep or waking!” says he. “But the business looks bad. Let’s see the letter.”
I gave it him.
“Catriona,” said he, “ye’ll have to excuse me, my dear; but there’s nothing less than my fine bones upon the cast of it, and I’ll have to break this seal.”
“It is my wish,” said Catriona.
He opened it, glanced it through, and flung his hand in the air.
“The stinking brock!” says he, and crammed the paper in his pocket. “Here, let’s get our things thegither. This place is fair death to me.” And he began to walk towards the inn.
It was Catriona that spoke first. “He has sold you?” she asked.
“Sold me, my dear,” said Alan. “But thanks to you and Davie, I’ll can jink him yet. Just let me win upon my horse!” he added.