He scowled speechlessly.

Cuthbert arrived the next morning.

William was restless and ill-at-ease, and several times climbed the
ladder for a glimpse of the guest, but all he could see was the garden
inhabited only by a cat and a gardener. He amused himself by throwing
stones at the cat till he hit the gardener by mistake and then fled
precipitately before a storm of abuse. William and the gardener were
enemies of very long standing. After dinner he went out again into the
garden and stood gazing through a chink in the wall.

Cuthbert was in the garden.

Though as old and as tall as William, he was dressed in an embroidered
tunic, very short knickers, and white socks. Over his blue eyes his
curls were brushed up into a golden halo.

He was a picturesque child.

"What shall we do?" Joan was saying. "Would you like to play hide and
seek?"

"No; leth not play at rough gameth," said Cuthbert.

With a wild spasm of joy William realised that his enemy lisped. It
is always well to have a handle against one's enemies.

"What shall we do, then?" said Joan, somewhat wearily.