"Remarkably so," replied Mr Langridge, "remarkably so, Mr Lumsden. I can answer for that; for I have known him now for a good while, and have had many opportunities of estimating his character."
"Then hoo cam he into his present difficulties?"
"Through the misconduct of a brother—entirely through the misconduct of a brother." And Mr Langridge proceeded to give precisely the same account of the young man's misfortunes, and of the present state of his affairs, that he himself had given to the old stone-breaker, as already detailed to the reader. When he had concluded—
"It seems to me rather a hard sort o' case," said the client. "But could you no help him a wee on the score o' lenity?"
"I would willingly do it if I could; but it's not in my power. My instructions are peremptory. I dare not do it but with a certainty of losing the business of the pursuers, the best clients I have."
"Naething, then, 'll do but payin' the siller, I suppose?" said the other.
"Nothing, nothing, I fear. My clients seem quite determined. They are enraged at some smart losses which they have lately sustained in Scotland, and will give no quarter."
"Then I suppose if they war paid, they would be satisfied," said the stone-breaker.
"Ha, ha, ha! Mr Lumsden, no doubt of that," exclaimed Mr Langridge, laughing. "That would settle the business at once."
"I fancy sae," said the other, musingly. Then, after a pause—"An' think ye the lad wad get on if this stane were taen frae aboot his neck?"