ys, could get round the
old lady, and she had profound though inexpressed respect for Speug,
whom she regarded as a straightforward fighter, and the two friends
would sometimes be allowed the highest privilege in her power, to see
her make a brew of "gundy." And it is from hints dropped by those two
favoured customers that the above theory of the making of this
delectable sweet has been formed.

It was possible, with a proper celerity, to visit Mrs. McWhae's during
the "breaks," and to spend three minutes in those happy precincts and
not be absolutely late for the next class; and during the dinner-hour
her shop was crowded, and the steps outside and the very pavement were
blocked by the Seminary, waiting for their "gundy" and ginger-beer.
Little boys who had been fortunate enough to get their provisions early,
and were coming out to enjoy the "gundy" in some secret place, hid their
treasure within their waistcoats, lest a bigger fellow should supply
himself without the trouble of waiting his turn, and defer payment to
the end of the year. And one of the lords of the school would on
occasion clear out a dozen of the small fry, in order that he might
select his refreshments comfortably. It was indeed the Seminary Club,
with its bow-window like other clubs, and the steps on which the members
could stand, and from the steps you commanded three streets, so that
there were many things to see, and in snowball time many things to do.
McWhae's had only one inconvenience, and that was that the line of
communication could be cut off by raiding parties from the "Pennies" and
other rival schools. When the snow was deep on the ground, and the enemy
was strong on the field, it was necessary to bring down supplies under
charge of a convoy, and if anything could have added to the flavour of
the "gundy," it was that you had fought your way up Breadalbane Street
to get it, and your way back to enjoy it, that you had lost your bonnet
in a scrimmage, and that the remains of a snow ball were trickling down
your back. Precious then was the dainty sweet as the water which the
mighty men brought to David from the well of Bethlehem.

"My word!" cried Speug, who was winding up the dinner-hour with Nestie
Molyneux, on the upper step of the club-house, "if there isn't the
'Bumbees' driving in a four-in-hand!" and the brake of the _Muirtown
Arms_ passed, with a dozen smart and well-set-up lads rejoicing openly,
and, wheeling round by the corner of