I laughed dubiously towards M’Auslan, who responded with the austerest of possible grins.
“And Shanks, too,” continued Toddy Tam; “Shanks wadna speak out neither. They’re auld-farrant hands baith o’ them, Mr Dunshunner, and they didna like to promise ony thing without me. We three aye gang thegither.”
“I hope, then, Mr Gills, that I may calculate upon your support and that of your friends. My views upon the currency——”
“Ay! that’s speaking out at ance. Hoo muckle?”
“Ay! hoo muckle?” interposed M’Auslan, with a glistening eye.
“I really do not understand you, gentlemen.”
“Troth, then, ye’re slow at the uptak,” remarked Gills, after a meaning pause. “I see we maun be clear and conceese. Hark ye, Mr Dunshunner,—wha do ye think we are?”
“Three most respectable gentlemen, for whom I have the highest possible regard.”
“Hoots!—nonsense! D’ye no ken?”
“No,” was my puzzled response.