f interment, as
gude reason was; nevertheless----"

"Come, Caleb," said the Master of Ravenswood, "I must cut this matter
short. This is the young Laird of Bucklaw; he is under hiding, and
therefore, you know----"

"He'll be nae nicer than your lordship's honour, I'se warrant," answered
Caleb, cheerfully, with a nod of intelligence; "I am sorry that the
gentleman is under distress, but I am blythe that he canna say muckle
agane our housekeeping, for I believe his ain pinches may matach ours;
no that we are pinched, thank God," he added, retracting the admission
which he had made in his first burst of joy, "but nae doubt we are waur
aff than we hae been, or suld be. And for eating--what signifies telling
a lee? there's just the hinder end of the mutton-ham that has been but
three times on the table, and the nearer the bane the sweeter, as your
honours weel ken; and--there's the heel of the ewe-milk kebbuck, wi' a
bit of nice butter, and--and--that's a' that's to trust to." And with
great alacrity he produced his slender stock of provisions, and placed
them with much formality upon a small round table betwixt the two
gentlemen, who were not deterred either by the homely quality or limited
quantity of the repast from doing it full justice. Caleb in the mean
while waited on them with grave officiousness, as if anxious to make up,
by his own respectful assiduity, for the want of all other attendance.

But, alas! how little on such occasions can form, however anxiously and
scrupulously observed, supply the lack of substantial fare! Bucklaw,
who had eagerly eaten a considerable portion of the thrice-sacked
mutton-ham, now began to demand ale.

"I wadna just presume to recommend our ale," said Caleb; "the maut was
ill made, and there was awfu' thunner last week; but siccan water as the
Tower well has ye'll seldome see, Bucklaw, and that I'se engage for."

"But if your ale is bad, you can let us have some wine," said Bucklaw,
making a grimace at the mention of the pure element which Caleb so
earnestly recommended.

"Wine!" answered Caleb, undauntedly, "eneugh of wine! It was but twa
days syne--wae's me for the cause--there was as much wine drunk in this
house as would have floated a pinnace. There never was lack of wine at
Wolf's Crag."

"Do fetch us some then," said the master, "instead of talking about it."
And Caleb boldly departed.

Every expended butt in the old cellar did he set a-tilt, and shake with
the despera