"Then," said Buff, picking himself up and wriggling out of the straps which tied the bag to his person—"then, Marget, you can have your old clothes-pins."
"Gently, my boy," said his father. "Hand the bag to Marget and say you're sorry."
"Sorry, Marget," said Buff in a very casual tone, as he heaved the bag at her.
Marget received it gloomily, prophesied the probable end of Buff, and went indoors.
Buff joined Thomas in the dungeon of Doubting Castle.
"Why is Billy sitting up there?" asked Mr. Seton.
"He's Apollyon," said Thomas, "and he's coming down in a minute to straddle across the way. By rights, I should have been Apollyon——"
Mr. Seton's delighted survey of the guileless fiend on the ash-pit roof was interrupted by Ellen, who came with a message that Mr. Stevenson had called and would Mr. Seton please go in.
In the drawing-room he found Elizabeth conversing with a tall young man, and from the fervour with which she welcomed his appearance he inferred that it was not altogether easy work.
"Father," said Elizabeth, "you remember I told you about meeting Mr. Stevenson at the Thomsons' party? He has brought us such a treasure of a ballad book to look over. Do let my father see it, Mr. Stevenson."