The tears coursed down poor Jamie's cheeks, but he made no moan. I did not dare open my lips for fear I should anger them still more; but my mother could not see the bairn tortured and hold her peace.
"Leave the bairn go," she said authoritatively. "Ye hae hearts harder than a millstone."
"Are ye in ony hurry for your ain share?" asked the ruffian.
"I would liefer bear it than see the bairn bear it," was her reply.
"Weel, if it suits ye, we will leave the bairn and try yoursel."
So saying, he seized her hand and applied the burning match. She raised her eyes, looking steadfastly upward as she repeated the following portion of God's Word—the sixty-fourth Psalm:
"'Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
"'Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked, from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity,
"'Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words,