A Boyhood in Scotland 



he did. Then I went out again and hung by 

 one hand, and David did the same. Then I 

 hung by one finger, being careful not to slip, 

 and he did that too. Then I stood on the sill 

 and examined the edge of the left wall of the 

 window, crept up the slates along its side by 

 slight finger-holds, got astride of the roof, sat 

 there a few minutes looking at the scenery over 

 the garden wall while the wind was howling 

 and threatening to blow me off, then managed 

 to slip down, catch hold of the sill, and get 

 safely back into the room. But before attempt- 

 ing this scootcher, recognizing its dangerous 

 character, with commendable caution I warned 

 David that in case I should happen to slip I 

 would grip the rain-trough when I was going 

 over the eaves and hang on, and that he must 

 then run fast downstairs and tell father to get 

 a ladder for me, and tell him to be quick be- 

 cause I would soon be tired hanging dangling 

 in the wind by my hands. After my return from 

 this capital scootcher, David, not to be out- 

 done, crawled up to the top of the window- 

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