"Just wait until dinner time."
"Not going to make us stay that long, are you? Please don't be mean."
The elder boy deigned no reply. John raised the little window which fronted the street and grinned. One by one the gang climbed through the narrow opening to the sidewalk and left their vindictive enemy guarding the empty storeroom.
Across the street from the flats stood the building which housed the corner drug store and "Neighborhood Hall," used according to season for high-school dances, minstrel shows, and fraternal meetings. They assembled at the entrance, which commanded an excellent view of all approaches leading from the flats, and awaited developments.
A little girl rounded the corner with sundry grocer's packages in her arms. She noticed that the boys were gathered in the excited group, which always spelled danger to unescorted maidens, but held bravely on. As she passed, Silvey yelled exultantly. Perry Alford threw wildly and hit the ground by her feet. Red's missile caught one nervous, white little hand and made her drop a bag of eggs to the sidewalk. John raised his arm, then lowered it as if paralyzed.
It was Louise!
"Quit that fellows," he cried, seizing on the first excuse which came into his mind. "She's a little girl."
Silvey looked at him in blank amazement. "What of it?" he ejaculated. "Ain't the first time you've made one cry."
John's lips tightened. "Don't care if it isn't," he snapped. "Stop that, Sid, or I'll punch your face in."
He threw his own cucumber into the gutter to show that his was a peaceful errand and walked hastily over to the sobbing figure.