At least this was Ptolemy’s interpretation of his protest.
I threatened, Rob coaxed, and Ptolemy cuffed, but every time I started to leave and jerk him after me, he uttered such demoniac yells I was forced to stop.
“Wish it was night,” said Emerald regretfully. “Wouldn’t he scare folks though! How does he get his voice up so high?”
“Poor little Di!” said a voice commiseratingly from the doorway. “Was Ocean plaguing him?”
Beth gathered the child in her arms, and his howls changed to sobs. Rob stood petrified with amazement at her appearance.
“Don’t want to go,” said Diogenes between gulps.
“Needn’t go!” promised Beth. “Stay here with me, and we’ll have dinner with 148 the boys and then we’ll go home and get some ice cream.”
“All yite,” agreed the appeased Polydore.
“May Lucien and I stay to dinner, too?” asked Rob humbly.