Gav of course was to enter the bursary lists anon, and he had supposed that Cathro would have the last year's schooling of him; but no, his father decided to send him for the grand final grind to Mr.Ogilvy of Glen Quharity, a famous dominie between whom and Mr.Dishart existed a friendship that none had ever got at the root of.

Mr.Cathro was more annoyed than he cared to show, Gav being of all the boys of that time the one likeliest to do his teacher honor at the university competitions, but Tommy, though the decision cost him an adherent, was not ill-pleased, for he had discovered that Gav was one of those irritating boys who like to be leader.

Gav, as has been said, suddenly saw Tommy's victory over Messrs.

Birkie, Francie, etc., in a new light; this was because when he wanted back the shilling which he had contributed to the funds for buying their purchases, Tommy replied firmly: "I canna give you the shilling, but I'll give you the lantern and the tartan cloth we bought wi' it." "What use could they be to me at Glen Quharity ?" Gav protested.
"Oh, if they are no use to you," Tommy said sweetly, "me and Corp is willing to buy them off you for threepence." Then Gav became a scorner of duplicity, but he had to consent to the bargain, and again Corp said to Tommy, "Oh, you crittur!" But he was sorry to lose a fellow-conspirator.

"There's just the twa o' us now," he sighed.
"Just twa!" cried Tommy.