Then one of them, Francie Crabb, the golden-haired son of Esther Auld, recovered and began to knead Grizel's back with his fists, less in viciousness than to show that the prayer was futile.

Into this scene sprang Tommy, and he thought that Elspeth was the kneaded one.

Had he taken time to reflect he would probably have used the Thrums feint, and then in with a left-hander, which is not very efficacious in its own country; but being in a hurry he let out with Shovel's favorite, and down went Francie Crabb.
"Would you!" said Tommy, threatening, when Francie attempted to rise.
He saw now that Elspeth was untouched, that he had rescued an unknown girl, and it cannot be pretended of him that he was the boy to squire all ladies in distress.

In ordinary circumstances he might have left Grizel to her fate, but having struck for her, he felt that he would like to go on striking.

He had also the day's disappointments to avenge.
It is startling to reflect that the little minister's height, for instance, put an extra kick in him.
So he stood stridelegs over Francie, who whimpered, "I wouldna have struck this one if that one hadna prayed for me.