throwing her stocking on the patch of green sward about the stone, and
starting to her feet with a laugh. 'Is't to be uphill or alang?'

They were near the foot of a hill to whose top went the heather, but
along whose base, between the heather and the bogland below, lay an
irregular belt of moss and grass, pretty clear of stones. The boy did
not seem eager to accept the challenge.

'There's nae guid in lickin a lassie!' he said with a shrug.

'There mith be guid in tryin to du't though--especially gien ye war
lickit at it!' returned the girl.

'What guid _can_ there be in a body bein lickit at onything?'

'The guid o' haein a body's pride ta'en doon a wee.'

'I'm no sae sure o' the guid o' that! It wud only hand ye ohn tried
(_from trying_) again.'

'Jist there's what yer pride dis to ye, Francie! Ye maun aye be first,
or ye'll no try! Ye'll never du naething for fear o' no bein able to
gang on believin ye cud du 't better nor ony ither body! Ye dinna want
to fin' oot 'at ye're naebody in particlar. It's a sair pity ye wunna
hae yer pride ta'en doon. Ye wud be a hantle better wantin aboot three
pairts o' 't.--Come, I'm ready for ye! Never min' 'at I'm a lassie:
naebody 'ill ken!'

'Ye hae nae sheen (_shoes_)!' objected the boy.