WE   PASS   THE   FORTH.                             267
wee thing paler; but apart from that ye'll do fine for
my purpose—ye have a fine, hang-dog, rag-and-tatter,
elappermaclaw kind of a look to ye, as if ye had stolen
the coat from a potato-bogle. Come; right about, and
back to the change-house for that boat of ours."
I followed him laughing.
"David Balfour," said he, "ye're a very funny
gentleman by your way of it, and this is a very funny
employ for ye, no doubt. For all that, if ye have any
affection for my neck (to say nothing of your own) ye
will perhaps be kind enough to take this matter
responsibly. I am going to do a bit of play-acting, the
bottom ground of which is just exactly as serious as the
gallows for the pair of us. So bear it, if ye please, in
mind, and conduct yourself according."
"Well, well," said I, "have it as you will."
As we got near the clachan, he made me take his
arm and hang upon it like one almost helpless with
weariness; and by the time he pushed open the change-
house door, he seemed to be half carrying me. The
maid appeared surprised (as well she might be) at our
speedy return; but Alan had no words to spare for her
in explanation, helped me to a chair, called for a tass of
brandy with which he fed me in little sips, and then
breaking up the bread and cheese helped me to eat it
like a nursery-lass; the whole with that grave, con-
cerned, affectionate countenance, that might have im-
posed upon a judge. It was small wonder if the maid
were taken with the picture we presented, of a poor,