"Did you"--said William in a sibilant whisper--"did you ever _kill_
anyone?"
Mr. Blank laughed a laugh that made William's blood curdle.
"Me kill anyone? Me kill anyone? _'Ondreds!_"
William breathed a sigh of satisfaction. Here was romance and
adventure incarnate.
"What do you do now the war's over?"
Mr. Blank closed one eye.
"That 'ud be tellin', wudn't it?"
[Illustration: "DID YOU"--SAID WILLIAM IN A SIBILANT WHISPER--"DID YOU
EVER _KILL_ ANYONE?"]
"I'll keep it awfully secret," pleaded William. "I'll never tell
anyone."
Mr. Blank shook his head.
"What yer want ter know fer, anyway?" he said.
William answered eagerly, his eyes alight.
"'Cause I'd like to do jus' the same when I grow up."
Mr. Blank flung back his head and emitted guffaw after guffaw of
unaffected mirth.
"Oh 'ell," he said, wiping his eyes. "Oh, stroike me pink! That's
good, that is. You wait, young gent, you wait till you've growed up
and see what yer pa says to it. Oh 'ell!"
He rose and pulled his cap down over his eyes.
"Well, I'll say good day to yer, young gent."
William looked at him wistfully.
"I'd like to see you again, Mr. Blank, I would, honest. Will you be
here this afternoon?"
"Wot d'yer want to see me agine fer?" said Mr. Blank suspiciously.
"I _like_ you," said William fervently. "I like the way you talk, and
I like the things you say, and I want to know about what you do!"
Mr.
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