"But think what a triumph it would be to you if your boy beat Mr.Ogilvy's." The Dominie rose in his excitement and slammed the table, "My certie, lassie, but it would!" he cried, "Ogilvy looks on the Blackadder as his perquisite, and he's surer of it than ever this year.

And there's no doubt but Tommy would carry it.

My head to a buckie preen he would carry it, and then, oh, for a sight of Ogilvy's face, oh, for--" He broke off abruptly.

"But what's the good of thinking of it ?" he said, dolefully, "Mr.McLean's a firm man when he makes up his mind." Nevertheless, though McLean, who had a Scotchman's faith in the verdict of professors, and had been bitterly disappointed by Tommy's failure, refused to be converted by the Dominie's entreaties, he yielded to them when they were voiced by Ailie (brought into the plot _vice_ Grizel retired), and Elspeth got round Aaron, and so it came about that with his usual luck, Tommy was given another chance, present at the competition, which took place in the Thrums school, the Rev.Mr.Duthie, the Rev.Mr.Dishart, the Rev.Mr.Gloag of Noran Side, the Rev.Mr.
Lorrimer of Glenquharity (these on hair-bottomed chairs), and Mr.Cathro and Mr.Ogilvy (cane); present also to a less extent (that is to say, their faces at the windows), Corp and others, who applauded the local champion when he entered and derided McLauchlan.

The subject of the essay was changed yearly, this time "A Day in Church" was announced, and immediately Lauchlan McLauchlan, who had not missed a service since his scarlet fever year (and too few then), smote his red head in agony, while Tommy, who had missed as many as possible, looked calmly confident.