"Ay, Alec; wher't' baan?"
"There's a wee lassie I promised to meet to-nicht," replied the other.
Alec McPhail belonged to the Black Watch, a battalion of which was stationed in the town, and Tom and Alec had become friends.
"What's thy lass's name?" asked Tom.
"I dinna ken reightly, except that they ca' her Alice. Come wi' me,
Tom; mebbe she has a friend."
"Nay," replied Tom, "I doan't feel like skylarking with the lasses to-night."
"Weel, I'm not ower particular mysel', but I have not much siller. Three bawbees will have to last me till Saturday, otherwise I'd be asking ye to come and have a drop of whisky wi' me."
"I am stony-broke too," said Tom. "I expect I have been a fool."
"Nay, man, nae man's a fool who spends his siller on good whisky."
By this time they were walking together towards the outskirts of the town.