CHAP. in. B EGG'S BRUTALITY. 57 



on Edward's knee, he advanced, and struck Edward 

 such a blow that it laid him flat on the floor. The bird 

 had fluttered to the ground, and was trampled on. 



When Edward was about to rise, he saw that Begg 

 was going to kick him. Eaising up his arm to ward 

 off the blow, Begg's foot came in contact with it, 

 and, losing his balance, he reeled, staggered against 

 the wall, and fell backwards. He gathered himself 

 together and got up. If angry before, he was furious 

 now. Edward, seeing that he was again about to resume 

 his brutality, called out that he would shout for help, 

 and that he wouldn't be struck again without a cause ! 

 " Without a cause, you idle blackguard ! sitting play- 

 ing with some of your devils instead of doing my 

 work ! " "I had no work ; it was done three hours 

 ago, and I was waiting to go to my dinner." " It's 

 not near dinner time yet." " It's four o'clock ! " "I 

 didn't know it was so late ; well, you may go ! " 



Tom seized the opportunity of picking up his poor 

 and innocent bird from the floor. He found it was 

 still breathing. He put it tenderly in his bosom 

 and hastened homewards. His mother was not 

 surprised at his lateness, which was very usual, in 

 consequence of the irregularity of his master's hours. 

 " But what's the matter wi' ye ?" she said ; " your face 

 is bleedin', and ye hae been greetin'." " Look," said he, 

 taking the harmless and now lifeless bird from his 

 breast, and holding it up, " that would gar onybody 

 greet ; " and his tears fell on the mangled body of his 



