‘May be I did,’ rejoined the gauger dryly, giving a hard blow to the poor gearran.
‘Beannachd-leibh’ (Good-bye to you), said the young man, pulling his forelock and bowing as before.
‘Why are you in such a hurry to be off all at once, before you have shown me the way?’
‘I’m no in a hurry, sir; I shust be doing my work, minding my mother’s cow and calf,’ answered the lad, lying down again, and commencing to pick more blaeberries. ‘But,’ he added, ‘it was no to offend you I was meaning.’
‘Offend me, man! for what? I am sure I have taken no offence.’
‘Haven’t you, sir,’ exclaimed the other, jumping up; ‘I thocht you had, for you didn’t seem pleased when I was asking what could I be doing for you.’
‘My good lad,’ answered Gillespie, ‘I see customs differ, and what may be considered ill manners on the streets of Dumfries is perhaps a different thing on a Highland moor, and I shall be very glad of your company and assistance.’
‘Then you must tell me where is it you’ll be wanting to go to.’
‘Man alive! Have I not told you already that I want to reach Dunvegan?’
‘But I’m no sure if you’re fit to do it before night, if you don’t tell me where you came from the day.’