In growing alarm she watched his face, and at last she slipped upon her knees, but he had her up at once and said, reproachfully: "It were me as teached yer to pray, and now yer prays for me! That's fine treatment!" Nevertheless, after his mother's return, just before he stole out to join Shovel, he took Elspeth aside and whispered to her, nervously: "You can pray for me if you like, for, oh, Elspeth; I'm thinking as I'll need it sore!" And sore he needed it before the night was out..