“No,” said Barbara faintly.
“Well, he’d best keep his distance; that’s all.”
He turned quickly at sound of a boyish whoop from behind.
“Oh, hello, Jimmy!” he said carelessly. “How’s your majesty’s highness to-day?”
“I’m pretty well, ’xcept that bof my front teef are loose,” replied the little boy seriously. “I can’t eat corn or apples, ’cept wiv my side teef.”
“Don’t you think it’s about time you taught that boy to speak the English language, Barbara? It’s teeth and with, my boy. Don’t let me hear you make that babyish blunder again.”
The child hung his head, his face flushing to a shamed scarlet under his thatch of yellow hair.
“I’m going to try,” he said manfully.
“Want to take a ride with me, old man?” asked David. “Your sister says she can’t.”
Jimmy looked up eagerly into Barbara’s face for the coveted permission.