Scotland/Scots > Wilson's tales of the Borders and of Scotland > Volume 3

104
TALES OF THE BOKDERS.
“ Twunty pund, my leddy, twimty pund,” answered
Geordie.
The money was handed to him by the lady, without say¬
ing a word; and, having again made a low bow, he departed.
Next year, Geordie Willison went and paid a visit to
Lady Maitland, got from her the same sum of money, and
nothing passed to indicate what it was paid for. The lady
clearly remained under the impression that the child was
not in existence.
It happened that, some time after the last payment,
Geordie was on the pier of Leith, with a view to fall in with
some chance message or carriage to Edinburgh. A vessel
had newly arrived from the Continent, and one of the
passengers was Sir Marmaduke Maitland. Geordie was
employed to assist in getting his luggage removed to
Edinburgh. On arriving at the house, Lady Maitland,
with Louise behind her, was standing on the landing-place
to receive her husband. They saw Geordie walking along'
side of him, and talking to him in the familiar manner
which his alleged silliness in many cases entitled him to
do; but whatever they may have felt or expressed, by
looks or otherwise, Geordie seemed not to be any way out
of his ordinary manner, and they soon observed, from the
conduct of Sir Marmaduke, that Geordie had said nothing
to him. Geordie bustled about, assisting to take out the
luggage, while Sir Marmaduke was standing in the lobby
with his lady alongside of him.
“ Is there any news stirring in these parts, Geordie,
worth telling to one who has been from his own country so
long as I have been.”
“Naething worth mentioning, Sir Marmaduke,” answered
Geordie ; “ a’thing quiet, decent, and orderly i’ the toun
and i’ the country—no excepting your ain house here,
whar I hae missed mony a gude luck-penny sin’ your
honour departed.”