"Now," commanded his small tyrant, "take off your boots an' stockings
an' go an' find things for me."
"Take off yours," growled William, "an' find things for yourself."
"No," said Thomas, "crockerdiles might be there an' bite my toes. An
pittanopotamuses might be there. If you don't go in, I'll scream an'
scream an' _scream_."
William went in.
He walked gingerly about the muddy pond. Thomas watched him critically
from the bank.
"I don't like your _hair_," he said confidingly.
William growled.
He caught various small swimming objects in the tin, and brought them
to the bank for inspection.
"I want more'n that," said Thomas calmly.
"Well, you won't _get_ it," retorted William.
He began to put on his boots and stockings, wondering desperately how
to rid himself of his unwanted companion. But Fate solved the problem.
With a loud cry a woman came running down the path.
"Tommy," she said. "My little darling Tommy. I thought you were lost!"
She turned furiously to William. "You ought to be ashamed of
yourself," she said. "A great boy of your age leading a little child
like this into mischief! If his father was here, he'd show you. You
ought to know better! And you a scout."
William gasped.
[Illustration: SHE TURNED FURIOUSLY TO WILLIAM. "YOU OUGHT TO BE
ASHAMED OF YOURSELF," SHE SAID.]
"Well!" he said. "An' I've bin doin' deeds of kindness on him all
morning. I've----"
She turned away indignantly, holding Thomas's hand.
Pages:
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124