THE HARBOUR, FROM LES LÂCHES
He went down to the harbour to meet the Tuesday morning's boat which was to bring over the fruit and frivolities ordered from Guernsey—strawberries enough to start a jam factory, grapes enough to stock a greengrocer's shop, chocolates, sweets, Christmas crackers and fancy biscuits, in what he hoped would prove sufficiency, but had his doubts at times when he saw the eager expectancy with which he was regarded by every youngster he met.
He was just starting out when Johnnie Vautrin hailed him from his lair in the hedge.
"Heh, Mist' Graeme! I seen—"
"Better not, Johnnie!" he said, with a warning finger. "If it's anything uncomfortable I'll come right over and jump on you and Marrlyou."
"Goderabetin, you dassen't!"
"Oh, dassen't I? If you don't see everything good for this week, and fine weather too, you little imp, I'll—"
"Qué-hou-hou!" croaked Johnnie, and Marielihou yawned and made a futile attempt to wash behind her ears but found it discomforting to a sore hind-leg, so gave it up and spat at him instead.
"And, moreover, I won't have you at my party."