"The plucky little chap! Struggling with him! Trying to pull him back
from the window! All by himself!"

"I _wasn't_," cried William excitedly. "I was _helping_ him. He's _my
friend_. I----"

But they heard not a word. They crowded round him, praised him, shook
hands with him, asked if he was hurt. Mrs. de Vere Carter kept up one
perpetual scream of delight and congratulation.

"The _dear_ boy! The little _pet_! How _brave_! What _courage_! What
an _example_ to us all! And the horrid, wretched man! Posing as a
_hero_. Wangling himself into the sweet child's confidence. Are you
hurt, my precious? Did the nasty man hurt you? You _darling_ boy!"

When the babel had somewhat subsided, Mr. Brown came forward and laid
a hand on William's shoulder.

"I'm very pleased with you, my boy," he said. "You can buy anything
you like to-morrow up to five shillings."

William's bewildered countenance cleared.

"Thank you, father," he said meekly.




CHAPTER IV