Naebody can
mistake that."
"But, John, there are many natural reasons for such likenesses,
besides that of consanguinity. They depend much on the thoughts
and affections of the mother; and it is probable that the mother of
this boy, being deserted by her worthless husband, having turned
her thoughts on me, as likely to be her protector, may have
caused this striking resemblance."
"Ay, it may be, sir. I coudna say."
"I have known a lady, John, who was delivered of a blackamoor
child, merely from the circumstance of having got a start by the
sudden entrance of her negro servant, and not being able to forget
him for several hours."
"It may be, sir; but I ken this--an' I had been the laird, I wadna
hae ta'en that story in."
"So, then, John, you positively think, from a casual likeness, that
this boy is my son?"
"Man's thoughts are vanity, sir; they come unasked, an' gang
away without a dismissal, an' he canna' help them. I'm neither
gaun to say that I think he's your son, nor that I think he's no your
son: sae ye needna pose me nae mair about it."
"Hear then my determination, John. If you do not promise to me,
in faith and honour, that you never will say, or insinuate such a
thing again in your life, as that that boy is my natural son, I will
take the keys of the church from you, and dismiss you from my
service.
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