But there was now no opportunity of receding from the
situation in which he had placed himself.
As for Caleb, he was so utterly stunned by his master's public and
unqualified acknowledgment of the nakedness of the land, that for two
minutes he could only mutter within his hebdomadal beard, which had not
felt the razor for six days, "He's daft--clean daft--red wud, and awa'
wit! But deil hae Caleb Balderstone," said he, collecting his powers of
invention and resource, "if the family shall lose credit, if he were as
mad as the seven wise masters!" He then boldly advanced, and in spite
of his master's frowns and impatience, gravely asked, "If he should
not serve up some slight refection for the young leddy, and a glass of
tokay, or old sack--or----"
"Truce to this ill-timed foolery," said the Master, sternly; "put the
horses into the stable, and interrupt us no more with your absurdities."
"Your honour's pleasure is to be obeyed aboon a' things," said Caleb;
"nevertheless, as for the sack and tokay which it is not your noble
guests' pleasure to accept----"
But here the voice of Bucklaw, heard even above the clattering of
hoofs and braying of horns with which it mingled, announced that he was
scaling the pathway to the Tower at the head of the greater part of the
gallant hunting train.
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