"I'm going to be a doctor too," he said truculently. "A big doctor. I
shall make piles of money, and have three ass-assistants. P'r'aps, if
you're any good you shall be one of them."

She did not answer. The intent, observing look had come into her eyes.
The cool wind lifted the brown hair so that it was like a live thing
floating about her head. She seemed as lovely to him as his mother.
He wanted terribly to say to her, "It's my birthday, Francey, and they
haven't even wished me many happy returns;" but that would have shown
her how little he was, and how unhappy. Instead, he began to lunge and
parry with an invisible opponent, talking in a loud, fierce voice.

"I wish the others would come. I've got a topping plan. Edith goes
shopping 'bout six o'clock when it's almost dark. We'll wait at the
corner of John Street and jump out at her and shriek like Red Indians.
And then she'll drop dead with fright. She's such a silly beast----"

Then to his amazement he saw that Francey had grown quite white. Her
mouth quivered. It was as though she were going to cry. And he had
never seen her cry.

"They--they aren't coming, Robert."

"N-not coming? W-why not?"

"There's been a row. Someone complained. Their people won't let them
come any more. Not to play with you. They say--they say----"

He went on fighting, swinging his sword, over his head, faster and