Forrest, his arm still about her, detaining her for the threatened punishment not yet inflicted, shook his head somberly.
“The Acorn Song!” Ernestine called from the piano; and the cry was taken up by Eddie Mason and the girls.
“Oh, do, Dick,” Paula pleaded. “Mr. Graham is the only one who hasn’t heard it.”
Dick shook his head.
“Then sing him your Goldfish Song.”
“I’ll sing him Mountain Lad’s song,” Dick bullied, a whimsical sparkle in his eyes. He stamped his feet, pranced, nickered a not bad imitation of Mountain Lad, tossed an imaginary mane, and cried:
“Hear me! I am Eros! I stamp upon the hills!”
“The Acorn Song,” Paula interrupted quickly and quietly, with just the hint of steel in her voice.
Dick obediently ceased his chant of Mountain Lad, but shook his head like a stubborn colt.
“I have a new song,” he said solemnly. “It is about you and me, Paula. I got it from the Nishinam.”