"Him? nae fear o't," and Howieson is full of contempt. "Ae day I pit a peen into that smooth-faced wratch Dowbiggin, juist because I cudna bear the look o' him; an' if he didna squeal like a stuck pig. Did Bulldog open his een an' look?"
The audience has no remembrance of such a humiliating descent.
"Na, na," resumes Jock, "he didna need; he juist repeated the first sentence o' the prayer ower again in an awfu' voice, an' aifter it wes dune, doon he comes to me. 'Whatna prank wes that?'"
"Wes't nippy?" inquires Bauldie with relish, anticipating the sequel.
"Michty," replies Jock; "an' next he taks Dowbiggin. 'Who asked you to join in the prayer?' an' ye cud hae heard his yowls on the street. Bulldog hed a fine stroke." And the three smoked in silent admiration for a space.
"Sandie, div ye mind the sins in the prayer? 'Lord deliver the laddies before Thee from lying—— '"
"'Cheating,'" breaks in Bauldie.
"'Cowardice,'" adds Sandie.
"'And laziness, which are as the devil,'" completes Jock.
"An' the laist petition, a' likit it fine, 'Be pleased to put common sense in their heads, and Thy fear in their hearts, and—— '"