They found Armine coiled up before the fire with a book, and Jock
greeted him with—-
"Well, you little donkey, there's such a shindy at the Croft as you
never heard."
"Mother, you know!" cried Armine, running into her outstretched arms
and being covered with her kisses. "But who told?" he asked.
"John and Jessie," said Jock. "They always said they would if anyone
said anything against you to mother or Uncle Robert."
"Against me?" said Armine.
"Yes," said Jock. "Didn't you know it got about through some of the
juniors or their sisters that it was Brownlow maximus gently
chastising you for bad language, and of course Mrs. Coffinkey told
Aunt Ellen."
"Oh, but Jock," cried Armine, turning round in consternation, "I hope
Rob does not know."
And on further pressing it was extracted that Rob, when sent home
with him, had threatened him with the great black vaulted cellars of
Kencroft if he divulged the truth. When Jock left them the relief of
pouring out the whole history to the mother was evidently great.
"You know, mother, I couldn't," he cried, as if there had been a
physical impossibility.
"Why, dear child. How did you bear their horrid cruelty?"
"I thought it could not be so bad as it was for the forty soldiers on
the Lake.
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