•Presently there came a great rattling of chains and bolts,and the door was cautiously opened and shut again behind me as soon I had passed. 'Go into the kitchen and touch nothing,'said the voice.While the man secured the door once again,I stumbled on my way to the kitchen.The fire in the kitchen was bright but it was bright but it was the most unadorned room I had ever seen.It contained only half-a-dozen dishes and a table where a meagre meal was laid.As soon as the last chain was up,the man rejoined me.He was a mean,stopping,narrow-shouldered,clay-faced creature;and his age might have been anything between fifthy and seventy.His nightcap was of flannel,and so was the nightgrown that he worse ,instead of coat and waistcoat,over his ragged shirt.He had not shaved but what troubled me about him most was the fact that he neither took his eyes off me nor looked me straight in the eyes.He surely was some servent kept to look after the house. 'Let's see the letter,'said he as he sat down.I told him the letter was for Mr.Balfour;not for him. 'And who do you think I am?'said he. 'Give me Alexander's letter.' 'You know my father's name?' 'It would be strange if I didn't,he returned, 'for he was my born brother.I'm your uncle,Davie,my man,and you my nephew.So give me the letter.'Hearing this,I was greatly disappointed and half-heartedly gave him the letter.He took it and turned it over and over in his hands. 'What brought you here?'asked my uncle. 'To give the letter,'said I. 'No,said he cunningly, 'but you will have some hopes,no doubt?' 'I confess,sir,'said I,when I was told that I had kinsfolk well-to-do,I did indeed indulge the hope that they might help me in my life.But I am no beggar;I look for no favours at your hands,and I want none that are not freely given.For as poor as I appear,I have friends of my own that will be willing to help me.'Hearing this,he fell silent for a while and ate his food laid out on the table in big spoonfuls.It was awhile before he spoke again. 'Your father's been long dead?'he asked. 'Three weeks,sir,'said I. 'Did your father ever told you about your uncle or the House of Shaws?'asked my uncle. 'No,he did not, sir.' 'To think of that!'said he.But seemed singularly satisfied,but whether with himself,or me,or with this conduct of my father's,was more than I could read.Certainly,however,he seemed to be outgrowing that distaste,or ill-will,that he had conceived at first against my person;for presently he jumped up,came across the room behind me,and hit me a smack upon the shoulder. 'We'll agree fine yet!'he cried.I'm just as glad I let you in.And now come away to your bed.'To my surprise,he lit no lamp or candle but set forth into dark passage,groped his way,breathing deeply,up a flight of steps and paused before a door which he unlocked.I was close upon his heels,having stumbled after him as best I might;and then he asked me to go inside for that was chamber.I did as he bid,but paused after a few steps and begged a light to go to bed with. 'Hoot-toot!'said Uncle Ebenezer, 'there's a fine moon.' 'Neither moon nor star,sir and its pitch dark,'said I. 'I cannot see the bed.' 'Hoot-tooot,hoot-toot!'said he. 'Lights in a house is a thing I don't agree with.Good-night to you,Davie,my man.'And before I had time to add a further protest,he pulled the door to and I heard him lock me in from the outside.I did not know whether to laugh or cry.The room was as cold as a well,and the bed,when I had found my way to it,as damp but by good fortune I had caught up my bundle and my plaid,and rolling myself in the latter,I lay down upon the floor under lee side of the big bedstead and fell speedily asleep.With the first peep of day I opened my eyes,to find myself in a great chamber,hung with stamped leather,furnished with fine embroidered furniture,and lit by three fair windows.Ten years ago,or perhaps twenty,it must have been as pleasant a room to lie down or to awake in as a man could wish but damp,dirt,disuse and the mice and spiders had done their worst since then.Meanwhile the sun was shining outside;and being very cold in that miserable room,I knocked the door and shouted till my gaoler came and let me out.He carried me to the back of the house.There,when we reached a draw-well,he told me to 'wash my face there,if I wanted;'and when that was done,I did my best to reach the kitchen,where he had lit the fire and was making the porridge.The table was laid with two bowls and two horn spoons.When we had made an end of our meal,my Uncle Ebenezer unlocked a drawer,and drew out it a clay pipe and a lump of tobacco,from which he cut one fill before he locked it up again.Then he sat down in the sun at one of the windows and silently smoked.He remained thoughtful a long time and then said, 'You have done the right thing by coming here.I will certainly look for a trade for you.'Meanwhile,I was asked to feel at home.So,I asked him to keep the bed sheets out in the sun to be dried for I could not sleep in that damp room.My uncle agreed.After a while he told me that he needed to go out.Then he added that he would lock me in to keep me safe.Blood rushed into my head. 'Uncle,it appears to me that you do not want me here and neither do you like me,'I said angrily. 'Why do you not just ask me to leave and I would go?All I wanted was to be helped by my family and not by my friends!'Uncle Ebenezer turned pale hearing my outburst.A few minutes later,he smiled and said,Do not misunderstand me.I have lived here alone for so long that I have become what I am today.Just give me a little time,that's all.' 'Well,sir,'said I,after I thought the matter out,'I'll stay awhile.If we don't agree then I shall leave.'