"
He set off down a path, and meekly William followed.
It must be jolly late--almost tea-time.
"I'm hungry," said Thomas suddenly. "Give me some brekfust."
"I haven't got any," said William irritably.
"Well, find some," persisted the infant.
"I can't. There isn't any to find."
"Well, buy some!"
"I haven't any money."
"Well, buy some money."
Goaded, William turned on him.
"Go away!" he bellowed.
Thomas's blue eyes, beneath a mop of curls, met his coldly.
"Don't talk so loud," he said sternly. "There's some blackberries
there. You can get me some blackberries."
William began to walk away, but Thomas trotted by his side.
"There!" he persisted. "Jus' where I'm pointing. Lovely great big suge
ones. Get 'em for my brekfust."
Reluctantly the scout turned to perform his deed of kindness.
Thomas consumed blackberries faster than William could gather them.
"Up there," he commanded. "No, the one right up there I want. I want
it _kick_. I've etten all the others."
William was scratched and breathless, and his shirt was torn when at
last the rapacious Thomas was satisfied. Then he partook of a little
refreshment himself, while Thomas turned out his pockets.
"I'll let 'em go now," he said.
One of his wood-lice, however, stayed motionless where he put it.
"Wot's the matter with it?" said William, curiously.
"I 'speck me's the matter wif it," said Thomas succinctly.
Pages:
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122