but never to Shovel. Being but an Englishman, Shovel saw no reason why
relatives should conceal their affection for each other, but he played
on this Scottish weakness of Tommy's with cruel enjoyment.

"She's fond on yer!" he would say severely.

"You's a liar."

"Gar long! I believe as you're fond on her!"

"You jest take care, Shovel."

"Ain't yer?"

"Na-o!"

"Will yer swear?"

"So I will swear."

"Let's hear yer."

"Dagont!"

So for a time the truth was kept hidden, and Shovel retired, casting
aspersions, and offering to eat all the hair on Elspeth's head for a
penny.

This hair was white at present, which made Tommy uneasy about her
future, but on the whole he thought he might make something of her if