CHAP. i. SECURES THE BYKE. 19 



It was now getting quite dark, and he hurried 

 away with his prize. He got home in safety. He 

 crept up the stair, and peeped in at the keyhole, to 

 see that the coast was clear. But no! he saw his 

 father sitting in his chair. There was an old iron 

 pot in a recess on one side of the stair, in which Tom 

 used to keep his numerous "things," and there he 

 deposited his prize until he could unpack it in the 

 morning. He now entered the house as if nothing 

 had happened. " Late as usual, Tarn/' said his father. 

 No further notice was taken. Tom got his supper 

 shortly after, and went to bed. 



Before getting into bed, he went a little out of 

 way to get undressed, and then, as much unseen as 

 possible, he crept down beneath the blankets. His 

 brother, having caught sight of his nudity, suddenly 

 called out, " Eh, mother, mother, look at Tarn ! he 

 hasna gotten on his sark ! " Straightway his mother 

 appeared at the bedside, and found that the statement 

 was correct. Then the father made his appearance. 

 " Where's your shirt, sir ? " "I dinna ken." " What ! 

 dinna ken!" addressing his wife "Where's my 

 strap?" Tom knew the power of the strap, and 

 found that there was no hope of escaping it. 



The strap was brought ! " Now, sir, tell me this 

 instant, where is your shirt ? " " It's in the bole on 

 the stair." '' Go and get it, and bring it here 

 immediately." Tom went and brought it, sorrowfully 

 enough, for he dreaded the issue. " And what have 



