What word?
they asked testily, but even now he could not tell.

He had wanted a Scotch word that would signify how many people were in church, and it was on the tip of his tongue but would come no farther.

Puckle was nearly the word, but it did not mean so many people as he meant.

The hour had gone by just like winking; he had forgotten all about time while searching his mind for the word.
When Mr.Ogilvy heard this he seemed to be much impressed, repeatedly he nodded his head as some beat time to music, and he muttered to himself, "The right word--yes, that's everything," and "'the time went by like winking'-- exactly, precisely," and he would have liked to examine Tommy's bumps, but did not, nor said a word aloud, for was he not there in McLauchlan's interest?
The other five were furious; even Mr.Lorrimer, though his man had won, could not smile in face of such imbecility.

"You little tattie doolie," Cathro roared, "were there not a dozen words to wile from if you had an ill-will to puckle?
What ailed you at manzy, or--" "I thought of manzy," replied Tommy, woefully, for he was ashamed of himself, "but--but a manse's a swarm.