'But that'll be piper's news to her. You've tell't her----'
'I've never had the time.'
Willie gasped. 'What the ---- dae you an' her jaw aboot?'
'Nane o' your business!'
'Haw, haw!' laughed Willie, mirthlessly. 'My! but ye're a spoony
deevil!--nae offence intendit.' The apology was made hastily owing
to a sudden change in Macgregor's expression and colour.
Macgregor lit a cigarette and returned his well-stocked aluminium
case to his pocket.
The silence was broken by Willie.
'Savin' up?'
'Ay.'
'It's a dashed bad habit, Macgreegor. Dinna let it grow on ye. If
naebody saved up, everybody wud be weel aff. . . . Aweel, what
maun be maun be.' And, groaning, Private Thomson drew forth a
packet which his friend had 'stood' him the previous day.
'Regairdin' this tea pairty,' he resumed, 'are ye supposed to eat
a' ye can an' leave what ye canna--if there's onything to leave?'
'She'll expect ye to eat a' ye can.'
'It's easy seen she doesna ken me.'
'Oh, she'll be prepared for the warst, Wullie,' said Macgregor, his
good-humour returned. 'I can shift a bit masel' when I'm in form.'
Whereat Willie's countenance was illuminated by a happy thought.
'I'll bet ye a tanner I'll shift mair nor you!'
Macgregor laughed and shook his head. 'If you an' me was gaun oor
lane to restewrant, I wud tak' ye on; but----'
'Aw, ye mean it wudna be the thing a tea pairty?'
'Hardly.'
'Weel, weel,' said Willie, with sorry resignation, 'honest money's
ill to earn.
Pages:
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61