“The beggar ran out into the night, and returned with a man laden with sacks, and they began to count out £40,000 upon a side-table, where a haunch of venison still smoked.
“When they had counted out the money, the beggar said:
“‘There is your £40,000; sign this receipt.’
“The amazed factor drew back, when the three friends said:
“‘You must sign; you are a gentleman of your word, of course.’
“Mechanically John o’ Scales signed the paper.
“‘And now,’ said the former beggar, ‘leave my house at once, with your wife—you coward! you cur! You robbed my father, and then cheated me when I was a spendthrift. Begone, and may your name be accursed in the land!’
“And the son turned all out except his three friends.
“In a few months he married the daughter of one of his friends; but he never gambled again, only entertaining his three friends and their families, who came and went as they liked.
“And from that day John o’ Scales was called John o’ Groats.”