I don't want you to be afraid of them." "Afraid of them!" said the boy, in scornful surprise.

"Not if they were twice as more and twice as beeg." Mrs.Murray saw her advantage, and followed it up.
"And the minister did not know the whole truth, Ranald, and he was sorry he spoke to you as he did." "Did he say that ?" said Ranald, in surprise.

It was to him, as to any one in that community, a terrible thing to fall under the displeasure of the minister and to be disgraced in his eyes.
"Yes, indeed, Ranald, and he would be sorry if you should go away.

I am sure he would blame himself." This was quite a new idea to the boy.

That the minister should think himself to be in the wrong was hardly credible.
"And how glad we would be," she continued, earnestly, "to see you prove yourself a man before them all." Ranald shook his head.