human
What was your pleasure, sir?
gpt
I am seeking a place called Fairy Knowe, and a man called Cuthbert Headrigg. You can probably direct me to him?
human
It's my gudeman, sir, said the young woman, with a smile of welcome.
gpt
Will you alight, sir, and come into our puir dwelling?--Cuddie, Cuddie, --a white-headed rogue of four years appeared at the door of the hut--
human
What's your wull wi' me, sir?
gpt
I have a curiosity to ask some questions about this country, said the traveller,
human
Nae doubt, sir, said Cuddie, after a moment's hesitation.
gpt
But I would first like to ken what sort of questions they are. I hae had sae mony questions speered at me in my day, and in sic queer ways, that if ye kend a', ye wadna wonder at my jalousing a' thing about them. My mother gar 'd me learn the Single Carritch, whilk was a great vex; then I behoved to learn about my godfathers and godmothers to please the auld leddy; and whiles I jumbled them thegether and pleased nane o' them; and when I cam to man's yestate, cam another kind o' questioning in fashion that I liked waur than Effectual Calling; and the 'did promise and vow' of the tape were yokit to the end o' the tother. Sae ye see, sir, I aye like to hear questions asked befor I answer them.
human
You have nothing to apprehend from mine, my good friend; they only relate to the state of the country.
gpt
Country? replied Cuddie;
human
What makes you so positive of that, my friend?
gpt
Indeed? said the stranger.
human
I can hardly believe you, my friend.
gpt
Ye might ask my mither, then, if she were in life, said Cuddie;
human
You seem, said the stranger,
gpt
It's no to compleen o', sir, an we get the crap weel in, quoth Cuddie;
human
You mean the battle some years since? I was waiting upon Monmouth that morning, my good friend, and did see some part of the action,
gpt
Then ye saw a bonny stour, said Cuddie,
human
And which side were you upon, my friend?
gpt
Aha, lad? retorted Cuddie, with a knowing look, or what he designed for such,--
human
I commend your prudence, but it is unnecessary; I know you acted on that occasion as servant to Henry Morton.
gpt
Ay! said Cuddie, in surprise,
human
And what became of him?
gpt
He was lost in the vessel gaun to that weary Holland,--clean lost; and a' body perished, and my poor master amang them. Neither man nor mouse was ever heard o' mair.
human
You had some regard for him, then?
gpt
How could I help it? His face was made of a fiddle, as they say, for a' body that looked on him liked him. And a braw soldier he was. Oh, an ye had but seen him down at the brigg there, fleeing about like a fleeing dragon to gar folk fight that had unto little will till 't! There was he and that sour Whigamore they ca'd Burley: if twa men could hae won a field, we wadna hae gotten our skins paid that day.
human
You mention Burley: do you know if he yet lives?
gpt
I kenna muckle about him. Folk say he was abroad, and our sufferers wad hold no communion wi' him, because o' his having murdered the archbishop. Sae he cam hame ten times dourer than ever, and broke aff wi' mony o' the Presbyterians; and at this last coming of the Prince of Orange he could get nae countenance nor command for fear of his deevilish temper, and he hasna been heard of since; only some folk say that pride and anger hae driven him clean wud.
human
And--and, said the traveller, after considerable hesitation,--
gpt
Div I ken onything o' Lord Evandale? Div I no? Is not my young leddy up by yonder at the house, that's as gude as married to him?
human
And are they not married, then?
gpt
No, only what they ca' betrothed,--me and my wife were witnesses. It's no mony months bypast; it was a lang courtship,--few folk kend the reason by Jenny and mysell. But will ye no light down? I downa bide to see ye sitting up there, and the clouds are casting up thick in the west ower Glasgow-ward, and maist skeily folk think that bodes rain.
human
The deil's in this man, said Cuddie to himself;
gpt
I wish he would either light aff or ride on, that he may quarter himsell in Hamilton or the shower begin.
human
She does, replied Cuddie,
gpt
I have heard something of this, said the stranger, deepening his voice and averting his head.
human
I have some interest in the family, and would willingly help them if I could. Can you give me a bed in your house to-night, my friend?
gpt
It's but a corner of a place, sir, said Cuddie,
human
I ken we can gie ye a decent supper, sir, said Cuddie;
gpt
I shall be easily accommodated,
human
And ye may rely on your naig being weel sorted, said Cuddie;
gpt
I ken weel what belangs to suppering a horse, and this is a very gude ane.