For my sins, I hae had grace to repent of them, if I might say sae, and to lay them where they may be better borne than by me; and for my food, naebody grudges an auld man a bit and a drink--Sae I live as I can, and am contented to die when I am ca'd upon." "And thus, then, with little to look back upon that is pleasant or praiseworthy in your past life--with less to look forward to on this side of eternity, you are contented to drag out the rest of your existence?
Go, begone! and in your age and poverty and weariness, never envy the lord of such a mansion as this, either in his sleeping or waking moments--Here is something for thee." The Earl put into the old man's hand five or six guineas.

Edie would perhaps have stated his scruples, as upon other occasions, to the amount of the benefaction, but the tone of Lord Glenallan was too absolute to admit of either answer or dispute.

The Earl then called his servant--"See this old man safe from the castle--let no one ask him any questions--and you, friend, begone, and forget the road that leads to my house." "That would be difficult for me," said Edie, looking at the gold which he still held in his hand, "that would be e'en difficult, since your honour has gien me such gade cause to remember it." Lord Glenallan stared, as hardly comprehending the old man's boldness in daring to bandy words with him, and, with his hand, made him another signal of departure, which the mendicant instantly obeyed..