RAB AND HIS FRIENDS 



FOUR-AND-THIRTY years ago, Bob Ainslie and 

 I were coming up Infirmary Street from the 

 High School, our heads together, and our 

 arms intertwisted, as only lovers and boys 

 know how, or why. 



When we got to the top of the street, and 

 turned north, we espied a crowd at the Tron 

 Church. A dog-fight ! " shouted Bob, and 

 was off; and so was I, both of us all but 

 praying that it might not be over before we 

 got up ! And is not this boy-nature ? and 

 human nature too ? and don't we all wish a 

 house on fire not to be out before we see it ? 

 Dogs like fighting ; old Isaac says they " de- 

 light " in it, and for the best of all reasons ; 

 and boys are not cruel because they like to 

 see the fight. They see three of the great 



