But he had threatened this too frequently of late, even shown himself drawing the knife across his throat.
As usual the right idea came to him at the right moment.

"If you just kent how I did it for your sake," he said, with gentle dignity, "you wouldna blame me; you would think me noble." She would not help him with a question, and after waiting for it he proceeded.

"If you just kent wha she is! And I thought she was dead! What a start it gave me when I found out it was her!" "Wha is she ?" cried Elspeth, with a sudden shiver.
"I was trying to keep it frae you," replied Tommy, sadly.
She seized his arm.

"Is it Reddy ?" she gasped, for the story of Reddy had been a terror to her all her days.
"She doesna ken I was the laddie that diddled her in London," he said, "and I promise you never to let on, Elspeth.

I--I just went to the Den with her to say things that would put her off the scent.