"_As a joke_! Oh, you Jocks."
Cosh and Tosh (who had already been warned by the Police sergeant)
merely glared and gurgled impotently. Private Nigg, who, as already
mentioned, was slightly wanting in quickness of perception, was led
away by the faithful Buncle, to have the outrage explained to him
at leisure. It was Private Bogle who intervened, and brought the
intellectual Goliath crashing to the ground.
"Man, Johnson," he remarked, and shook his head mournfully, "youse
ought to be varra careful aboot sayin' things like that to the likes
of us. 'Deed aye!"
"What for, ole son?" inquired the jester indulgently.
"Naithing," replied Bogle with artistic reticence.
"Come along--aht with it!" insisted Johnson. "Cough it up, duckie!"
"Man, man," cried Bogle with passionate earnestness, "dinna gang ower
far!"
"What the 'ell _for_?" inquired Johnson, impressed despite himself.
"What for?" Bogle's voice dropped to a ghostly whisper. "Has it ever
occurred to you, my mannie, what would happen tae the English--if
Scotland was tae make a separate peace?"
And Mr. Bogle retired, not before it was time, within the sheltering
portals of the _estaminet_, where not less than seven inarticulate but
appreciative fellow-countrymen offered him refreshment.
X