"Hallo, boy!" said the little girl again.
"Hallo!" said Philip, in guarded tones.
"I saw you on Sunday," the little girl informed him.
"Yes, I know," said Philip coldly, and prepared to pass on. Uncle Joseph's warning had recurred to him with the mention of Sunday.
"Don't go," said the small siren on the gate.
"I think I will," said Philip.
Philip hesitated. Uncle Joseph had trained him always to say exactly what he thought, and never to make excuses. But he experienced a curious difficulty in informing this little creature that he was leaving her because she belonged to a dangerous and unscrupulous class of the community. It was the first stirring of chivalry within him. So he did not reply, but began to move away, rather sheepishly.
The little girl promptly unlimbered her stern-chasers, and the scornful accusation rang out:—
"You're shy!"