Kidnapped / Похищенный. Книга для чтения на английском языке

His nightcap was of flannel, and so was the nightgown that he wore, instead of coat and waistcoat, over his ragged shirt. He was long unshaved; but what most distressed and even daunted me, he would neither take his eyes away from me nor look me fairly in the face. What he was, whether by trade or birth, was more than I could fathom; but he seemed most like an old, unprofitable serving-man, who should have been left in charge of that big house upon board wages.

�Are ye sharp-set?’ he asked, glancing at about the level of my knee.

�Ye can eat that drop parritch[9 - parritch = porridge – (шотл.) овсянка]?’

I said I feared it was his own supper.

�O,’ said he, �I can do fine wanting it. I’ll take the ale, though, for it slockens my cough.’ He drank the cup about half out, still keeping an eye upon me as he drank; and then suddenly held out his hand. �Let’s see the letter,’ said he.

I told him the letter was for Mr. Balfour; not for him.

�And who do ye think I am?’ says he. �Give me Alexander’s letter.’

�You know my father’s name?’

�It would be strange if I didnae,’ he returned, �for he was my born brother; and little as ye seem to like either me or my house, or my good parritch, I’m your born uncle, Davie, my man, and you my born nephew. So give us the letter, and sit down and fill your kyte.’

I sat down to the porridge with as little appetite for meat as ever a young man had.

Meanwhile, my uncle, stooping over the fire, turned the letter over and over in his hands.

�Do ye ken what’s in it?’ he asked, suddenly.

�You see for yourself, sir,’ said I, �that the seal has not been broken.’

�Ay,’ said he, �but what brought you here?’

�To give the letter,’ said I.

�No,’ says he, cunningly, �but ye’ll have had some hopes, nae doubt?’

�I confess, sir,’ said I, �when I was told that I had kinsfolk well-to-do, I did indeed indulge the hope that they might help me in my life.

But I am no beggar; I look for no favours at your hands, and I want none that are not freely given. For as poor as I appear, I have friends of my own that will be blithe to help me.’

�Hoot-toot!’ said Uncle Ebenezer, �dinnae fly up in the snuff at me. We’ll agree fine yet. And, Davie, my man, if you’re done with that bit parritch, I could just take a sup of it myself.