"And now," Tommy said grimly to Grizel, "our doctor thinks you have used me badly, and that I am a fine fellow to bear no resentment! Elspeth told me that he admires the gentle and manly dignity with which I submit to the blow, and I have no doubt that, as soon as I heard that, I made it more gentle and manly than ever! "I have forbidden Elspeth," he told her, "to upbraid you for not accepting me, with the result that she thinks me too good to live! Ha, ha! what do you think, Grizel ?" It became known in the town that she had refused him.

Everybody was on Tommy's side.

They said she had treated him badly.

Even Aaron was staggered at the sight of Tommy accepting his double defeat in such good part.

"And all the time I am the greatest cur unhung," says Tommy.