Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson
page 99 of 305 (32%)
page 99 of 305 (32%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
the power of your position excellently well."
"Why, I believe I do," said the other with a little laugh. And this, though they had never touched hands, was (as we may say) the end of the brothers' meeting; for at this the Master turned to me and bade me fetch his baggage. I, on my side, turned to Mr. Henry for a confirmation; perhaps with some defiance. "As long as the Master is here, Mr. Mackellar, you will very much oblige me by regarding his wishes as you would my own," says Mr. Henry. "We are constantly troubling you: will you be so good as send one of the servants?" - with an accent on the word. If this speech were anything at all, it was surely a well-deserved reproof upon the stranger; and yet, so devilish was his impudence, he twisted it the other way. "And shall we be common enough to say 'Sneck up'?" inquires he softly, looking upon me sideways. Had a kingdom depended on the act, I could not have trusted myself in words; even to call a servant was beyond me; I had rather serve the man myself than speak; and I turned away in silence and went into the long shrubbery, with a heart full of anger and despair. It was dark under the trees, and I walked before me and forgot what business I was come upon, till I near broke my shin on the portmanteaus. Then it was that I remarked a strange particular; for whereas I had before carried both and scarce observed it, it |
|