He had seen Elspeth go on her knees, obviously to ask God to stay the hands and tongues of these cruel boys.
Elspeth had disgraced him, he felt.

He was done with her forever.

If they struck her, serve her right.
Struck her! Struck little Elspeth! His imagination painted the picture with one sweep of its brush.

Take care, you boys, Tommy is scudding back.
They had not molested Elspeth as yet.

When they saw and heard her praying, they had bent forward, agape, as if struck suddenly in the stomach.