238                                    KIDNAPPED.
"But aside from that," I continued, "what have I
done that you should even me to dogs by such a suppo-
sition? I never yet failed a friend, and it's not likely
I'll begin with you. There are things between us that
I can never forget, even if you can."
"I will only say this to ye, David," said Alan, very
quietly, "that I have long been owing ye my life, and
now I owe ye money. Ye should try to make that
burden light for me."
This ought to have touched me, and in a manner it
did, but the wrong manner. I felt I was behaving
badly; and was now not only angry with Alan, but
angry with myself in the bargain; and it made me the
more cruel.
"You asked me to speak," said I. "Well, then, I
will. You own yourself that you have done me a dis-
service; I have had to swallow an affront; I have never
reproached you, I never named the thing till you did.
And now you blame me," cried I, " because I cannae
laugh and sing as if I was glad to be affronted. The
next thing will be that I'm to go down upon my knees
and thank you for it ! Ye should think more of others,
Alan Breck. If ye thought more of others, ye would
perhaps speak less about yourself; and when a friend
that likes you very well, has passed over an offence
without a word, you would be blithe to let it lie, instead
of making it a stick to break his back with. By your
own way of it, it was you that was to blame; then it
shouldnae be you to seek the quarrel."