peacefully, mainly owing to the pacifying influence of Mrs.
Moore. Together the three went out into the yard; Mrs. Moore
seizing the opportunity to shyly speak on David's behalf.

"lie's such a good little lad, I do think," she was saying.

"Ye should ken, Mrs. Moore," the little man answered, a thought
bitterly; "ye see enough of him."

"Yo' mun be main proud of un, mester," the woman continued,
heedless of the sneer: "an' 'im growin' such a gradely lad."

M'Adam shrugged his shoulders.

"I barely ken the lad," he said. "By sight I know him, of course, but
barely to speak to. He's but seldom at hame."

"An' hoo proud his mother'd be if she could see him," the woman
continued, well aware of his one tender place. "Eh, but she was
fond o' him, so she was."

An angry flush stole over the little man's face. Well he understood
the implied rebuke; and it hurt him like a knife.

"Ay, ay, Mrs. Moore," he began. Then breaking off, and looking
about him-- "Where's ma Wullie?" he cried excitedly. "James
Moore!" whipping round on the Master, "ma Wullie's gone--gone, I
say!"

Elizabeth Moore turned away indignantly. "I do declar' he tak's