thence down the Roods, where there were so many outside stairs
not put there for show that it was well Elspeth remembered how
susceptible Tommy was to being struck dumb. For her sake he said,
"They're bonny," and for his sake she replied, "I'm glad they ain't
bonnier."

When within one turn of Monypenny they came suddenly upon some boys
playing at capey-dykey, a game with marbles that is only known in
Thrums. There are thirty-five ways of playing marbles, but this is the
best way, and Elspeth knew that Tommy was hungering to look on, but
without her, lest he should be accused of sweethearting. So she offered
to remain in the background.

Was she sure she shouldn't mind?

She said falteringly that of course she would mind a little, but--

Then Tommy was irritated, and said he knew she would mind, but if she
just pretended she didn't mind, he could leave her without feeling that
he was mean.

So Elspeth affected not to mind, and then he deserted her, conscience at
rest, which was his nature. But he should have remained with her. The
players only gave him the side of their eye, and a horrid fear grew on
him that they did not know he was a Thrums boy. "Dagont!" he cried to
put them right on that point, but though they paused in their game, it
was only to laugh at him uproariously. Let the historian use an oath for
once; dagont, Tommy had said the swear in the wrong place!

How fond he had been of that word! Many a time he had fired it in the
face of Londoners, and the flash had often blinded them and always him.
Now he had brought it home, and Thrums would have none of it; it was as
if these boys were jeering at their own flag. He tottered away from them
until he came to a trance, or passage, where he put his face to the wall
and forgot even Elspeth.

He had not noticed a girl pass the mouth of the trance, trying not very
successfully to conceal a brandy-bottle beneath her pinafore, but
presently he heard shouts, and looking out he saw Grizel, the Painted
Lady's child, in the hands of her tormentors. She was unknown to him, of
course, but she hit back so courageously that he watched her with
interest, until--until suddenly he retreated farther into the trance. He
had seen Elspeth go on her knees, obviously to ask God to stay the hands
and tongues of these cruel boys.

Elspeth had disgraced him, he felt. He was done with her forever. If
they struck her, serve her right.

Struck her! Struck little Elspeth! His imag