'You know our old Aberdeen saying, 'You scratch me and I'll scratch you.' It is not only what a man may do himself for himself, but it is what others will do for him when he is in a position to help them.

Now, there are those fellows; I am hand-and-glove with all of them; but there is not one of them would lift a finger to help me as I am now; but let me get my seat again, and they'll do for me just anything I ask them.

Vigil moves the new writ to-night; I got a line from him asking me whether I was ready.

There was no good to be got by waiting, so I told him to fire away.' 'I suppose you'll go down at once ?' said Alaric.
'Well, that as may be--at least, yes; that's my intention.

But there's one thing needful--and that is the needful.' 'Money ?' suggested Alaric.
'Yes, money--cash--rhino--tin--ready--or by what other name the goddess would be pleased to have herself worshipped; money, sir; there's the difficulty, now as ever.