The town clock struck nine.
We sat in silence as we used to sit, while another sexton tolled off the days of the month after the ringing of the curfew.
"Many's th' time ye've helter-skeltered home at th' sound of that bell!" she said.
"Yes, because the sound of the bell was always accompanied by a vision of a wet welt hanging over the edge of the tub!"
Jamie laughed and became reminiscent.
"D'ye mind what ye said wan time whin I bate ye wi' th' stirrup?"
"No, but I used to think a good deal more than I said."
"Aye, but wan time I laid ye across m' knee an' give ye a good shtrappin', then stud ye up an' says I, 'It hurts me worse than it hurts ye, ye divil!'
"'Aye,' says you, 'but it dizn't hurt ye in th' same place!'
"I don't remember, but from time immemorial boys have thought and said the same thing."