"I was at the school wi' him," they said up there, and implied that this damned his book.
But there were two faithful souls, or, more strictly, one, for Corp could never have carried it through without Gavinia's help.

Tommy called on them promptly at their house in the Bellies Brae (four rooms, but a lodger), and said, almost before he had time to look, that the baby had Corp's chin and Gavinia's eyes.

He had made this up on the way.

He also wanted to say, so desirous was he of pleasing his old friends, that he should like to hold the baby in his arms; but it was such a thundering lie that even an author could not say it.
Tommy sat down in that house with a very warm heart for its inmates; but they chilled him--Gavinia with her stiff words, and Corp by looking miserable instead of joyous.
"I expected you to come to me first, Corp," said Tommy, reproachfully.
"I had scarcely a word with you at the station." "He couldna hae presumed," replied Gavinia, primly.
"I couldna hae presumed," said Corp, with a groan.
"Fudge!" Tommy said.

"You were my greatest friend, and I like you as much as ever, Corp." Corp's face shone, but Gavinia said at once, "You werena sic great friends as that; were you, man ?" "No," Corp replied gloomily.
"Whatever has come over you both ?" asked Tommy, in surprise.