“Leon!” screamed his cousin, “you can come over here if you wantta.”
The lonesome-looking little boy promptly accepted the invitation, and came primly through the two gates. He walked proudly to the swing and stood, cap in hand, waiting for an introduction.
“Why didn't you clam' the fence, 'stead of coming th'oo the gates?” growled Jimmy. “You 'bout the prissiest boy they is. Well, why don't you set down?”
“Introduce me, please,” said the elegant little city boy.
“Interduce your grandma's pussy cats,” mocked Jimmy. “Set down, I tell you.”
Frances and Lina made room for him between them and soon gave him their undivided attention, to the intense envy and disgust of the other two little boys.
“I am Lina Hamilton,” said the little girl on his right.
“And I'm Frances Black, and Jimmy ought to be 'shamed to treat you like he does.”
“I knows a turrible skeery tale,” remarked a malicious Billy, looking at Lina and Frances. “If y' all wa'n't girls I 'd tell it to you.”
“We aren't any more scared 'n you, William Hill,” cried Frances, her interest at once aroused; “I already know 'bout 'raw meat and bloody bones' and nothing's scarier 'n that.”