But when my uncle called me in again, he counted thirty-eight English pounds in gold into my hands. It clearly hurt him to do it, and he kept back the last two pounds, but I did not mind that. Surprised and pleased, I thanked him warmly.
'Now,' he said, looking cleverly at me, 'ye can give me something, Davie I'm getting old now, and I need help.'
'Of course, sir,' I answered. 'What can I do?'
'Well go outside and climb the stairs at the other end of the house, where the building isn't finished yet. Go up to the room at the top, and bring down the chest that ye'll find there. It's got valuable papers in it.'
'Can I have a light, sir?' I asked.
'No,' he said sharply. 'No lights in my house!'
'Very well, sir. Are the stairs good?'
'They're grand,' said he . 'The stairs are grand.'