"I'm 'Jinglin' Geordie' Heriot," he announced.

"I'll show ye hoo a prood goldsmith ance smoked wi' a'."
Then, jauntily: "Sandy, gie a crack to 'Bluidy' McKenzie's door
an' daur the auld hornie to come oot."

The deed was done amid breathless apprehensions, but nothing
disturbed the silence of the May noon except the lark that sprang
at their feet and soared singing into the blue. It was Sandy who
presently whistled like a blackbird to attract the attention of
Bobby.

There were no blackbirds in the kirkyard, and Bobby understood
the signal. He scampered up at once and dashed around the kirk,
all excitement, for he had had many adventures with the Heriot
boys at skating and hockey on Duddingston Lock in the winter, and
tramps over the country and out to Leith harbor in the spring.
The laddies prowled along the upper wall of the kirks, opened and
shut the wicket, to give the caretaker the idea that they had
come in decorously by the gate, and went down to ask him, with
due respect and humility, if they could take Bobby out for the
afternoon. They were going to mark the places where wild flowers
might be had, to decorate "Jinglin' Geordie's" portrait, statue
and tomb at the school on Founder's Day. Mr. Brown considered
them with a glower that made the boys nudge each other knowingly.
"Saturday isna the day for 'im to be gaen aboot. He aye has a
washin' an' a groomin' to mak' 'im fit for the Sabbath. An', by
the leuk o' ye, ye'd be nane the waur for soap an' water yer
ainsel's."