He was proud of driving a hard bargain, but was thoroughly hospitable.

He had little respect for person or thing, but showed an occasional touch of tenderness.
"Hoot, Rob!" he said roughly as he entered, "I thoucht ye had mair sense! What's broucht ye here at sic a time ?" But as he spoke he held out his snuff-box to the old man.
"Fell needcessity, sir," answered Robert, taking a good pinch.
"Necessity!" retorted the farmer.

"Was ye oot o' meal ?" "Oot o' dry meal, I doobt, by this time, sir," replied Robert.
"Hoots! I wuss we war a' in like necessity--weel up upo' the hill i'stead o' doon here upo' the haugh (river-meadow).

It's jist clean ridic'lous.

Ye sud hae kenned better at your age, Rob.