CHAPTER XIX: DUNCAN'S PIPES
A few days after the events last narrated, a footman in the marquis's
livery entered the Seaton, snuffing with emphasized discomposure the
air of the village, all ignorant of the risk he ran in thus openly
manifesting his feelings; for the women at least were good enough
citizens to resent any indignity offered their town. As vengeance
would have it, Meg Partan was the first of whom, with supercilious
airs and "clippit" tongue, he requested to know where a certain
blind man, who played on an instrument called the bagpipes, lived.
"Spit i' yer loof an' caw (search) for him," she answered--a
reply of which he understood the tone and one disagreeable word.
With reddening cheek he informed her that he came on his lord's
business.
"I dinna doobt it," she retorted; "ye luik siclike as rins ither
fowk's eeran's."
"I should be obliged if you would inform me where the man lives,"
returned the lackey--with polite words in supercilious tones.
"What d' ye want wi' him, honest man?" grimly questioned the
Partaness, the epithet referring to Duncan, and not the questioner.
"That 1 shall have the honour of informing himself," he replied.
"Weel, ye can hae the honour o' informin' yersel' whaur he bides,"
she rejoined, and turned away from her open door.
All were not so rude as she, however, for he found at length a
little girl willing to show him the way.
The style in which his message was delivered was probably modified
by the fact that he found Malcolm seated with his grandfather
at their evening meal of water brose and butter; for he had been
present when Malcolm was brought before the marquis by Bykes, and
had in some measure comprehended the nature of the youth: it was
in politest phrase, and therefore entirely to Duncan's satisfaction
in regard of the manner as well as matter of the message, that he
requested Mr Duncan MacPhail's attendance on the marquis the following
evening at six o'clock, to give his lordship and some distinguished
visitors the pleasure of hearing him play on the bagpipes during
dessert.
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