meekness. He firmly declined to be shunted by Miss Parcher, who was
trying to favor William's cause, according to a promise he had won of
her by strong pleading. Regardless of her efforts, Mr. Bullitt descended
upon William and his Baby-Talk-Lady, and received from the latter a
honeyed greeting, somewhat to the former's astonishment and not at all
to his pleasure.

"Oh, goody-cute!" cried Miss Pratt. "Here's big Bruvva Josie-Joe!" And
she lifted her little dog close to Mr. Bullitt's face, guiding one of
Flopit's paws with her fingers. "Stroke big Bruvva Josie-Joe's pint
teeks, darlin' Flopit." (Josie-Joe's pink cheeks were indicated by the
expression "pint teeks," evidently, for her accompanying action was to
pass Flopit's paw lightly over those glowing surfaces.) "'At's nice!"
she remarked. "Stroke him gently, p'eshus Flopit, an' nen we'll coax him
to make pitty singin' for us, like us did yestiday."

She turned to William.

"COAX him to make pitty singin'? I LOVE his voice--I'm dest CRAZY over
it. Isn't oo?"

William's passion for Mr. Bullitt's voice appeared to be under control.
He laughed coldly, almost harshly. "Him sing?" he said. "Has he been
tryin' to sing around HERE? I wonder the family didn't call for the
police!"

It was to be seen that Mr. Bullitt did not relish the sally. "Well, they
will," he retorted, "if you ever spring one o' your solos on 'em!" And
turning to Miss Pratt, he laughed loudly and bitterly. "You ought to
hear Silly Bill sing--some time when you don't mind goin' to bed sick