"I—I was going to—but they called me a 'coward,' and said I was afraid to refuse," he answered huskily.
Louise found herself batting very heavy lashes again.
"I am so glad I came to you," she said, "because I never would have known that you are not a German spy if you hadn't told me!"
"Lou-i-i-se!"
The two started at the call—it was in Tinsie Willis's high-pitched voice. Evidently she had been sent to find the truant.
"Sh-h-h!" exclaimed Louise to Rudolph. "They are after me for staying out so long. I must go."
"Those steps yonder lead to the front hall," said the boy. "Go up that way."
"But you must come, too!" Louise exclaimed.
"I can't," replied the miserable child. "The boys are fixing to fight me. When school is over I'll slip out and go home."
"But why wait? Why don't you go now?" asked the little girl, a strange uneasiness coming over her.