50 The Little Minister

“Curse the Egyptian limmer,” the man
answered, “she’s egging my laddie on to fecht.”

“ Bless her rather,” the son cried, “ for warn-
ing us that the sojers is coming. Put your ear
to the ground, Mr. Dishart, and you’ll hear the
dirl o’ their feet.”

The young man rushed away to the square,
flinging his father from him. Gavin followed.
As he turned into the school wynd, the town
drum began to beat, windows were thrown open,
and sullen men ran out of closes where women
were screaming and trying to hold them back.
At the foot of the wynd Gavin passed Sanders
Webster.

“Mr. Dishart,” the mole-catcher cried, “ hae
you seen that Egyptian? May I be struck dead
if it’s no’ her little leddyship.”

But Gavin did not hear him.