m at Leuchars, but I'm here" (with
much triumph), "and I'm Bailie MacConachie" (with much dignity). And the
Bailie was evidently full awake.

"Losh keeps, laddies, what am I saying? Family troubles shakes the mind.
Take the pledge when ye're young, laddie, and ye'll no regret it when
ye're old. I've been an abstainer since the age of ten. Noo, laddie"
(with much cunning), "If I am to address the school, what think ye would
be a fine subject, apairt from the Catechism? for it's a responsibility,
especially me being a Bailie. If ye can mind onything, laddie, I'll give
ye sixpence next time we meet."

Although Speug was reticent in the class, for reasons that commended
themselves to his practical judgment, he had a rich wealth of speech
upon occasion, and he fairly drilled into the head of Bailie
MacConachie's double that it had been a very foolish thing for him--the
Bailie--to quarrel with the Seminary about their playground upon the
Meadow, and an act of an unchristian bitterness to strike him--the
Speug--upon the head and nearly injure him for life, but that he--the
Bailie--was sorry for all his bad conduct, and that he would never do
the like again as long as he was Bailie of Muirtown; and Speug
concluded, while the cabman stood open-mouthed with admiration, "Ye
micht juist say that ye have an awfu' respect for me--Speug--ye know."

"I'll be sure to do that," said the delighted Bailie, "for it's a fact.
Ye're a fine laddie and have a fearsome power o' the gab (mouth); I
expect to see ye in the pulpit yet; but keeps a' it's time I was at the
_Black Bull_, so ye micht juist slip in and tell the Rector I'm at the
door--Bailie MacConachie of Muirtown."

Had it been the class-room of Bulldog, master of mathematics,
arithmetic, and writing, and, it might also be added, master of
discipline, Speug would as soon have ventured into his presence on such
an errand as into the lion's den of the travelling menagerie which had
recently visited Muirtown, and at which he had spent many an unlicensed
hour. But the Rector was that dear delight of boys, a short-sighted,
absent-minded, unsuspicious scholar, who lived in a world of his own
with Homer and Horace, and could only be fairly roused (to sorrow) by a
false quantity or (to joy) by a happy translation.

Muirtown Seminary had an inexhaustible confidence in Speug's genius for
mischief and effrontery of manner, but the Rector's class sat breathless
when Peter came in with an unsh