He was silent for a minute. "Well, it wasn't quite straight of you," he admitted. "Isn't the little gentleman, as you call him, a good sort?"
"Indeed he is!"
"Everyone who knows him likes him. Have you heard what he's going to do on Good Friday evening?"
"No. What?"
"He's going to hold a kind of service in the town hall. There'll be a magic-lantern showing Bible pictures, and there'll be hymns sung and an address by Mr. Blackmore himself. Wouldn't you like to see the pictures?"
"Yes; but there's no chance of that, I'm afraid. I suppose I should have to pay—"
"Oh no! It will be a free entertainment. Why don't you go? Be in good time and then you'll be able to get a seat well to the front—that's what I intend to do. I advise you to do the same."
"Perhaps Gran won't let me; it'll just depend what sort of temper she's in. Good Friday? Why, that's next week."
Melina leaned her elbows on the window-sill, and rested her chin on her clasped hands. She was finding her conversation with William Jones interesting, and was glad that he seemed inclined to prolong it. By and by he told her he regretted that he used to tease her, and that he meant to try and prevail upon the other boys in the terrace to let her alone in future.
"Don't you interfere," she replied quickly; "I can hold my own ground."