Shargar is a word of Gaelic origin, applied, with some sense of the
ridiculous, to a thin, wasted, dried-up creature. In the present
case it was the nickname by which the boy was known at school; and,
indeed, where he was known at all.

'What are ye sittin' there for, Shargar? Did naebody offer to tak
ye in?'

'Na, nane o' them. I think they maun be a' i' their beds. I'm most
dreidfu' cauld.'

The fact was, that Shargar's character, whether by imputation from
his mother, or derived from his own actions, was none of the best.
The consequence was, that, although scarcely one of the neighbours
would have allowed him to sit there all night, each was willing to
wait yet a while, in the hope that somebody else's humanity would
give in first, and save her from the necessity of offering him a
seat by the fireside, and a share of the oatmeal porridge which
probably would be scanty enough for her own household. For it must
be borne in mind that all the houses in the place were occupied by
poor people, with whom the one virtue, Charity, was, in a measure,
at home, and amidst many sins, cardinal and other, managed to live
in even some degree of comfort.

'Get up, than, Shargar, ye lazy beggar! Or are ye frozen to the
door-stane? I s' awa' for a kettle o' bilin' water to lowse ye.'

'Na, na, Bob. I'm no stucken. I'm only some stiff wi' the cauld;
for wow, but I am cauld!' said Shargar, rising with difficulty. 'Gie
's a haud o' yer han', Bob.'