The Flamp, The Ameliorator, and The Schoolboy's Apprentice

by E. V. Lucas

'Sympathy,' said Tilsa.

'What's sympathy?' said Tobene.

'Oh, it's putting your arms round people and being sorry for them.'

'Pooh,' said Tobene, 'if that's sympathy, you must be wrong. He's too big.'

But Tilsa was not in the least discouraged.

'No, Toby,' she said, 'I'm right. And, Toby, Toby, darling, I want to go and find the Flamp and say I'm sorry for him, and I want you to come with me.'

'Me?' cried Tobene, now wide awake.

'Of course,' said Tilsa. 'We've never done anything alone yet, and I don't want to begin now.'

'Well, I suppose it's all right,' Tobene faltered. 'But he's drefful big, isn't he?'

'I'm afraid he is rather large,' said Tilsa, as cheerfully as she could.