“I know,” returned Polly sadly; “but it isn’t fair to sing that to her.”
“Why not? Why do you care?” It was Vance Alden that questioned. The rest were still, awaiting Polly’s answer.
“I’m sorry for her. I know how things hurt.”
But the boys only laughed, and began again the taunting song. They were resolved to have their fun.
“It is kind of mean, isn’t it?” commented Patricia, as she and Polly and Leonora walked back into the schoolroom.
“I wish they wouldn’t,” scowled Polly, glancing across to Ilga’s desk, where she was in excited conversation with three or four girls.
“What does fanfaron mean?” questioned Leonora.
“I don’t know,” answered Polly. “Let’s find out!”
Patricia was first at the dictionary, and turned quickly to the word.
“It means, ‘A bully; a hector; a swaggerer; an empty boaster,’” reading from the page.