So Harry went. But at the bottom of the stairs he lingered again, and was meditating how to return with most credit to his dignity, when Polly’s face appeared through the banisters, and Polly’s sharp tongue goaded him on.
“Ah! I see you. You’re stopping. You daren’t go.”
“I dare,” said Harry; and at last he went.
As he turned the handle of the door, Mr Skratdj turned round.
“Please, Papa—” Harry began.
“Get away with you!” cried Mr Skratdj. “Didn’t I tell you I was not to be disturbed this morning? What an extraor—”
But Harry had shut the door, and withdrawn precipitately.
Once outside, he returned to the nursery with dignified steps, and an air of apparent satisfaction, saying,—
“You’re to give me the bricks, please.”
“Who says so?”