There maun hae been mair nor twa or three at it, or she wad
hae worried them. The best-natered beast i' the toon!"
"William Macwha," cried Malison.
"Here, sir."
"Come up."
Willie ascended to the august presence. He had made up his mind that,
seeing so many had known all about it, and some of them had turned
cowards, it would be of no service to deny the deed.
"Do you know anything about this cruelty to the poor dog, William?"
said the master.
Willie gave a Scotchman's answer, which, while evasive, was yet answer
and more.
"She bet me, sir."
"When? While you were stoning her?"
"No, sir. A month ago."
"Ye're a leein' vratch, Willie Macwha, as ye weel ken i' yer ain
conscience!" cried Bruce. "She's the quaietest, kin'list beast 'at ever
was wholpit. See, sir; jist luik ye here. She'll lat me pit my han' in
her mou', an' tak' no more notice nor gin it was her ain tongue."
Now whether it was that the said tongue was still swollen and painful,
or that Juno, conscious of her own ill deserts, disapproved of the
whole proceeding, I cannot tell; but the result of this proof of her
temper was that she made her teeth meet through Bruce's hand.
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