Похищенный
Chapter 6
ThisthrewmebackonRansome,whoseemedtheleastwickedofthatgang,andwhosooncameoutoftheinnandrantome,cryingforabowlofpunch.ItoldhimIwouldgivehimnosuchthing,forneitherhenorIwasofanageforsuchindulgences.“Butaglassofaleyoumayhave,andwelcome,”saidI.Hemoppedandmowedatme,andcalledmenames;buthewasgladtogettheale,forallthat;andpresentlyweweresetdownatatableinthefrontroomoftheinn,andbotheatinganddrinkingwithagoodappetite.
Hereitoccurredtomethat,asthelandlordwasamanofthatcounty,Imightdowelltomakeafriendofhim.Iofferedhimashare,aswasmuchthecustominthosedays;buthewasfartoogreatamantositwithsuchpoorcustomersasRansomeandmyself,andhewasleavingtheroom,whenIcalledhimbacktoaskifheknewMr.Rankeillor.
“Hoot,ay,”sayshe,“andaveryhonestman.And,O,by-the-by,”sayshe,“wasityouthatcameinwithEbenezer?”AndwhenIhadtoldhimyes,“Ye’llbenofriendofhis?”heasked,meaning,intheScottishway,thatIwouldbenorelative.
Itoldhimno,none.
“Ithoughtnot,”saidhe,“andyetyehaveakindofgliffofMr.Alexander.”
IsaiditseemedthatEbenezerwasill-seeninthecountry.
“Naedoubt,”saidthelandlord.“He’sawickedauldman,andthere’smanywouldliketoseehimgirninginthetow.JennetCloustonandmonymairthathehasharriedoutofhouseandhame.Andyethewasanceafineyoungfellow,too.ButthatwasbeforethesoughgaedabroadaboutMr.
