Was he, indeed, a monster?
was one that he could dodge, as yet; but suppose Mrs.Jerry told his dear Elspeth of what had happened?
She had said that she would not, but a secret in Mrs.Jerry's breast was like her pug in her arms, always kicking to get free.

"Elspeth," said Tommy, "what do you say to going north and having a sight of Thrums again ?" He knew what she would say.

They had been talking for years of going back; it was the great day that all her correspondence with old friends in Thrums looked forward to.
"They made little of you, Tommy," she said, "when we left; but I'm thinking they will all be at their windows when you go back." "Oh," replied Thomas, "that's nothing.

But I should like to shake Corp by the hand again." "And Aaron," said Elspeth.

She was knitting stockings for Aaron at that moment.
"And Gavinia," Tommy said, "and the Dominie." "And Ailie." And then came an awkward pause, for they were both thinking of that independent girl called Grizel.