[Tinycms-users] F him. But she would have encountered t

[Asfour <rea...@vi...>]

 laugh was yet ringing, the burly figure of the stonemason appeared,
making his way by the momentum of great bulk and slow motion to the
front of the crowd. Without a word to any one, he drew a knife from his
pocket, and proceeded to cut every cord that bound the helpless animals,
the people staring silent all the while. It was a sight to see how the
dogs scampered off in the delight of their recovered freedom. But the
rabbit lay where the cat had left him. Thomas took it with some sign of
tenderness, and holding it up in his huge hand, put the question to the
crowd in general. "Wha's aucht this?" "It's cripple Truffey's?" piped a
shrill little voice. "Tell him 'at I'll account for't," rejoined Thomas,
and putting the animal in his pocket, departed. He took the nearest way
to George Macwha's workshop, where he found Alec and Curly, as he had
expected, busy or appearing to be busy about something belonging to
their boat. They looked considerably hotter, however, than could be
accounted for by their work. This confirmed Thomas's suspicions. "A fine
ploy yon for a young gentleman, Alec!" said he. "What ploy, Thomas?"
asked Alec, with attempted innocence. "Ye ken weel eneuch what ploy I
mean, man." "Weel, supposin' I do--there's nae that muckle hairm dune,
to mak' a wark aboot, surely, Thomas." "Ca' ye that no hairm?" rejoined
Thomas, pulling the dead rabbit out of his pocket, and holding it up by
the ears. "Ca' ye that no hairm?" he repeated. Alec stared in dismay.
Thomas well knew his regard for animals, and had calculated upon it.
"Luik at the puir thing wi' its bonny reid een closed for ever! It's a
mercy to think 'at there's no lemin' and lowin' (blazing and flaming)
future in store for hit, puir mappy