Grateful Elspeth in return asked Tommy to help Tod when the professors were not looking, and he promised, after which she had no more fear for Tod.
And now, ye drums that we all carry in our breasts, beat your best over the bravest sight ever seen in a small Scotch town of an autumn morning, the departure of its fighting lads for the lists at Aberdeen.

Let the tune be the sweet familiar one you found somewhere in the Bible long ago, "The mothers we leave behind us"-- leave behind us on their knees.
May it dirl through your bones, brave boys, to the end, as you hope not to be damned.

And now, quick march.
A week has elapsed, and now--there is no call for music now, for these are but the vanquished crawling back, Joe Meldrum and--and another.

No, it is not Tod, he stays on in Aberdeen, for he is a twelve-pound tenner.
The two were within a mile of Thrums at three o'clock, but after that they lagged, waiting for the gloaming, when they stole to their homes, ducking as they passed windows without the blinds down.

Elspeth ran to Tommy when he appeared in the doorway, and then she got quickly between him and Aaron.