Page 59 (1/2)

"I wouldna gie him the chance to insult you I would keep oot o' his

way There is naething unusual or discreditable in taking a journey to

Boston, to speir after the welfare o' your brother Alexander"

"Oh, indeed, sir, I cannot leave rateful fool! I ask your advice for the ordinary way of life, not for

the way that cowardice or fear dictates If without looking for hi him, we meet, and a quarrel is inevitable, what then, father?"

"Ay, weel, in that case, God prevent it! But in sic a strait, my lad, it

is better to gie the insult than to tak' it"

"You knohat must follow?"

"Wha doesna ken? Blood, if not murder Neil, you are a wise and prudent

lad; now, isna the sword o' the law sharper than the rapier o' honour?"

"Law has no res men of honour redress with the sword

A man may call me every shameful name; but, unless I can show some

actual loss in money or money's worth, I have no redress And suppose

that I tried it, and that after long sufferance and delays I got my