left him with an aching jaw and a highly swollen face. On the
morrow he was not much better.

'I'll no be able to use ma late pass the nicht,' he said bitterly.

'I'm no carin' whether I use mines or no,' Macgregor remarked from
the depths of his dejection.

Willie gave him a grostesque wink, and observed: 'I believe ye're
feart to gang into Glesca noo. Oh, they weemen!'

'If ye hadna a face for pies already, I wud gi'e ye yin!'

'Ah, but ye daurna strike a man that's been wounded in his
country's service. Aw, gor, I wisht I had never enlisted! What
country's worth a mug like this? . . . Which girl are ye maist
feart for, Macgreegor?'

Macgregor fled from the tormentor. He had not intended to use his
late pass, but Willie's taunt had altered everything. Afraid? He
would soon show Willie! Also he would show Maggie! Likewise he
would show--Well, Christina had no business to behave as if she
were the only girl in the world, as if he were a fool. He had a
right to enjoy himself, too. He had suffered enough, and the
cocoa-nut was the limit! . . .

'Are ye for Glesca?' Willie persisted when Macgregor was giving
himself a 'tosh up' in the billet.

'Ay, am I!' he snapped at last.