Over he went, amidst a shout of satisfaction.
When the master appeared at the top of the lane the fight came to a close; and as he entered the school, the group round the fire broke up and dispersed.

Alec, having entered close behind the master, overtook Annie as she went to her seat, for he had observed, as she ran into the school, that she was lame--indeed limping considerably.
"What's the maitter wi' ye, Annie ?" he said.

"What gars ye hirple ?" "Juno bitet me," answered Annie.
"Ay! Verra weel!" returned Alec, in a tone that had more meaning than the words.
Soon after the Bible-class was over, and they had all taken their seats, a strange quiet stir and excitement gradually arose, like the first motions of a whirlpool at the turn of the tide.

The master became aware of more than the usual flitting to and fro amongst the boys, just like the coming and going which preludes the swarming of bees.

But as he had little or no constructive power, he never saw beyond the symptoms.