'Thank you,' said the man, looking at me all the time. 'It _is_
pleasant to have a welcome.'
'That's my grandson Alick,' said my grandfather, putting his hand on my
shoulder.
'Your grandson,' repeated the man, looking earnestly at me; 'your
grandson--indeed!'
'And now come along,' said my grand father, 'and get a bit of something
to eat; we've got a cup of coffee all ready for you at home, and you'll
be right welcome, I assure you.'
'That's very kind of you,' said the stranger.
We were walking up now towards the house, and the man did not seem much
inclined to talk. I fancied once that I saw a tear in his eye, but I
thought I must have been mistaken. What could he have to cry about? I
little knew all that was passing through his mind.
'By the bye,' said my grandfather, turning round suddenly upon him,
'what's your name? We've never heard it yet!'
The man did not answer, and my grandfather looked at him in
astonishment. 'Have you got no name?' he said, 'or have you objections
to folks knowing what your name is?'
'Father!' said the man, taking hold of my grandfather's hand, 'don't you
know your own lad?'
'Why, it's my David! Alick, look Alick, that's your father; it is
indeed!'
And then my grandfather fairly broke down, and sobbed like a child,
whilst my father grasped him tightly with one hand, and put the other on
my shoulder.
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