The lady shuddered as she looked up.
"It is an ugly sight," the smith said, "and I can see no warrant for such exposure of the dead.

There are the heads of Wallace, of three of Robert Bruce's brothers, and of many other valiant Scotsmen who fought against the king's grandfather some twenty years back.

But after all they fought for their country, just as Harold and our ancestors against the Normans under William, and I think it a foul shame that men who have done no other harm should be beheaded, still less that their heads and limbs should be stuck up there gibbering at all passers-by.

There are over a score of them, and every fresh trouble adds to their number; but pardon me," he said suddenly as a sob from the figure by his side called his attention from the heads on the top of the gateway, "I am rough and heedless in speech, as my sister Madge does often tell me, and it may well be that I have said something which wounded you." "You meant no ill," the lady replied; "it was my own thoughts and troubles which drew tears from me; say not more about it, I pray you." They passed under the gateway, with its ghastly burden, and were soon in the crowded streets of London.

High overhead the houses extended, each story advancing beyond that below it until the occupiers of the attics could well-nigh shake hands across.