A moment he gazed , then hastened to seize the coveted place before a new detachment of bores arrived . ` Alice , I ca n't believe it -- did you understand -- how shall I ever thank you ? ' murmured Demi , bending as if he , too , read the song , not a note or word of which did he see , however . ` Hush ! not now . I understood -- I do n't deserve it -- we are too young , we must wait , but -- I 'm very proud and happy , John ! ' What would have happened after that tender whisper I tremble to think , if Tom Bangs had not come bustling up , with the cheerful remark : ` Music ? just the thing . People are thinning out , and we all want a little refreshment . My brain fairly reels with the ` ologies and ` isms I 've heard discussed tonight . Yes , give us this ; sweet thing ! Scotch songs are always charming . ' Demi glowered ; but the obtuse boy never saw it , and Alice , feeling that this would be a safe vent for sundry unruly emotions , sat down at once , and sang the song which gave her answer better than she could have done : BIDE A WEE ` The puir auld folk at home , ye mind , Are frail and failing sair ; And weel I ken they 'd miss me , lad , Gin I come hame nae mair . The grist is out , the times are hard , The kine are only three ; I canna leave the auld folk now . We 'd better bide a wee . ' I fear me sair they 're failing baith ; For when I sit apart , They talk o ' Heaven so earnestly , It well nigh breaks my heart . So , laddie , dinna urge me now , It surely winna be ; I canna leave the auld folk yet . We 'd better bide a wee . ' The room was very still before the first verse ended ; and Alice skipped the next , fearing she could not get through ; for John 's eyes were on her , showing that he knew she sang for him and let the plaintive little ballad tell what her reply must be . He took it as she meant it , and smiled at her so happily that her heart got the better of her voice , and she rose abruptly , saying something about the heat .
` Yes , you are tired ; come out and rest , my dearest ' ; and with a masterful air XXXXX took her into the starlight , leaving Tom to stare after them winking as if a sky-rocket had suddenly gone off under his nose .
Alice Bangs Demi John auld isms kine laddie sair weel