minister in particular. He had no training in devotional exercises,
although he had enjoyed an elaborate education in profanity under his
father and the grooms, and so his form of prayer was entirely his own.

"God, I dinna ken how to call You, but they say Ye hear onybody. I'm
Peter McGuffie, but mebbe Ye will ken me better by Speug. I'm no' a good
laddie like Nestie, and I'm aye gettin' the tawse, but I'm awful fond of
Bulldog. Dinna kill Bulldog, God; dinna kill Bulldog! If Ye let him aff
this time I'll never say any bad words again--as sure as death--and I'll
never play truant, and I'll never slap Dowbiggin's face, and I'll never
steal birds' eggs, and I'll never set the terrier on the cats. I'll wash
my face and--my hands, too, and I'll go to the Sabbath-schule, and I'll
do onything Ye ask me if Ye'll let off Bulldog. For ony sake, dinna kill
Bulldog."

When Dr. Manley came out from the master's garden door that evening he
stumbled upon Speug, who was looking very miserable, but began to
whistle violently the moment he was detected, and denied that he had
come to ask for news.

"You did, you young limmer, and you needn't tell me lies, for I know
you, Speug, and your father before you. I wish I'd good news to give
you, but I haven't. I fear you've had your last thrashing from Bulldog."

For a moment Speug kicked at a stone on the road and thrust his hands
deep into his pockets; then the corners of his mouth began to twitch,
and turning round he hid his face upon the wall, while his tough little
body that had stood many a fight shook all over. Doctor Manley was the
first person that had seen Speug cry, and he stood over him to protect
him from the gaze of any wandering message boys who might come along the
lane. By and by Speug began to speak between his sobs.

"It was a lee, Doctor, for I did come up to ask, but I dinna like to
let on.... I heard ye say that ye couldna rouse Bulldog to take an
interest in onything, and I thought o' something."

"What was it, Speug?" and the doctor laid his hands on the boy's
shoulder and encouraged him to proceed. "I'll never tell, you may trust
me."

"Naething pleased Bulldog sae weel as givin' us a lickin'; if he juist
had a cane in his hands and a laddie afore him, Bulldog would sune be
himsel' again, and--there's no a laddie in schule he's licked as often
as me. And I cam up----" and Speug stuck.

"To offer yourself for a thrashing, you mean. You've mentioned the
medici