Ah? he said, vaguely. No, I dinna think so. Still, he said with a smile, pulling his attention suddenly back to her, I wouldna be likely to. A young burke of sixteen's too taken up wi' his own grand self to pay much heed to what he thinks are naught but a rabble of snot-nosed bairns.
The character expresses a dismissive attitude towards younger individuals, suggesting that at sixteen, one is often self-absorbed and indifferent to others. The use of the term "burke" implies a sense of immaturity, indicating that the youth may overlook the significance of those he finds less important.
Despite his initial dismissiveness, there's a hint of humor as he acknowledges his own perspective, suggesting a willingness to engage with the person he's speaking...
