Two years previously he had made a furtive attempt to pay court to Bessy Houghton for the sake of her wealth , and her decided repulse of his advances was a remembrance that made him grit his teeth yet . He had hated her bitterly ever since . Lawrence was brushing his pet mare 's coat until it shone like satin , and whistling `` Annie Laurie '' until the rafters rang . Bessy had sung it for him the night before . He could see her plainly still as she had looked then , in her gown of vivid red -- a colour peculiarly becoming to her -- with her favourite laces at wrist and throat and a white rose in her hair , which was dressed in the high , becoming knot she had always worn since the night he had shyly told her he liked it so . She had played and sung many of the sweet old Scotch ballads for him , and when she had gone to the door with him he had taken both her hands in his and , emboldened by the look in her brown eyes , he had stooped and kissed her . Then he had stepped back , filled with dismay at his own audacity . But Bessy had said no word of rebuke , and only blushed hotly crimson . She must care for him , he thought happily , or else she would have been angry . When his mother came in at the stable door her face was hard and uncompromising . `` Lawrie , '' she said sharply , `` where are you going again tonight ? You were out last night . '' `` Well , Mother , I promise you I was n't in any bad company . Come now , do n't quiz a fellow too close . '' `` You are going to dangle after Bessy Houghton again . It 's time you were told what a fool you were making of yourself . She 's old enough to be your mother . The whole settlement is laughing at you . '' Lawrence looked as if his mother had struck him a blow in the face . A dull , purplish flush crept over his brow .
`` This is some XXXXX George 's work , '' he broke out fiercely .
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