He tapped at the back door, and the old woman called upon him to come in, and guided him through the house to the study, as they still called it, though there was little enough study there in Haddo's days, and more song-books than theology.
'Here's yin to speak wi' ye, Mr.Haddie!' cries the old wife.
And M'Brair, opening the door and entering, found the little, round, red man seated in one chair and his feet upon another.

A clear fire and a tallow dip lighted him barely.

He was taking tobacco in a pipe, and smiling to himself; and a brandy-bottle and glass, and his fiddle and bow, were beside him on the table.
'Hech, Patey M'Briar, is this you ?' said he, a trifle tipsily.

'Step in by, man, and have a drop brandy: for the stomach's sake! Even the deil can quote Scripture--eh, Patey ?' 'I will neither eat nor drink with you,' replied M'Brair.

'I am come upon my Master's errand: woe be upon me if I should anyways mince the same.