"Why?"
"I'm going to carry this kid up the hill."
"I'll help."
"No—hook it, you ass."
"I won't hook it."
Between them they carried the child as far as the Speech-room, where a policeman accepted a shilling, and gave in return a positive assurance that he would see woman and child to their destination. When the boys were alone, John said—
"Cæsar——"
"Well?"
"What a fellow you are! I wouldn't have thought of that. It was splendid."
"Oh, shut up." There was a slight pause; then Cæsar said defiantly, "I thought of carrying that kid; but I wouldn't have done it, unless I'd known that every boy was safe in Chapel. I couldn't have faced the chaff. And—you could."