Adela Cathcart, Volume 1. George MacDonald

this time," resumed Mrs. Bloomfield, "another man had come up. He had a coarse, hard-featured face; and he tried, or pretended to try, to wheel his barrow, which was full of gravel, over Davy's toes. The said toes were sticking quite bare through great holes in an old pair of woman's boots. Then he began to tease him rather roughly. But Davy took all his banter with just the same complacency and mirth with which he had received the kindliness of the other man.

      "'How's yer sweetheart, Davy?' he said.

      "'Quite well, thank ye,' answered Davy.

      "'What's her name?'

      "'Ha! ha! ha! I won't tell ye that.'

      "'Come now, Davy, tell us her name.'

      "'Noa.'

      "'Don't be a fool.'

      "'I aint a fool. But I won't tell you her name.'

      "'I don't believe ye've got e'er a sweetheart. Come now.'

      "'I have though.'

      "'I don't believe ye.'

      "'I have though. I was at church with her last Sunday.'

      "Suddenly the man, looking hard at Davy, changed his tone to one of surprise, and exclaimed:

      "'Why, boy, ye've got whiskers! Ye hadn't them the last time I see'd ye. Why, ye are set up now! When are ye going to begin to shave? Where's your razors?'