Page 138 (1/2)

"But why should I deny it, George; why should I tell you all of a

Scotse, in his heavy way, "you be such

a strange sort o' chap!"

"George," said I, "let us get back to work"

Yet, in a little while, I set aside the haoin'?"

"To try and make my peace with the Ancient," I answered, and

forthwith crossed the road to "The Bull" But with my foot on

the step I paused, arrested by the sound of voices and laughter

within the tap, and, loudest of all, was the voice of the pseudo

blackser!" the Ancient was saying Now,

peeping in through the caselance at his dejected

attitude, and the blatant bearing of the others, explained to me

the situation then and there

"Ah! but you ain't," retorted old Aettin' older wi' every tick o' the clock, you be, an'

gettin' hed Job and the five or six others

"Oh, you--Job! if my b'y Simon was 'ere 'e'd pitch 'ee out into