“Don’t go yet, boys. Are you having a good time?”
“We ain’t allowed in here,” said Willie.
“Who told you so?”
“The short, fat man with the squinty eyes and the cane,” declared Willie, in a matter of fact way.
“Short—fat—squinty—— My goodness! I wonder if he can mean my father?” exclaimed Madge, inclined to be offended.
“But you can stand there and talk with us,” said Ruth, strolling toward the boys. “So you are having a nice time at Mr. Caslon’s?”
“Bully—ain’t we, Dickie?”
“Yep,” agreed the echo.
“And you won’t be glad to go back to the orphanage when you have to leave here?”
“Say, who ever was glad to go to a ’sylum?” demanded Willie, with scorn.