Daddy thrust the knife into his deep, trouser pocket, and Tommy put the halfpenny into his.
Tommy felt that his ladies would surely be interested in this day’s event. There was not only the thrilling incident of the finding of the knife, but there was the subsequent financial transaction with Daddy, and a second halfpenny in his trouser pocket to-day. He poured out his story to them as they were mounting the stairs. To his amazement it left them cold.
When next they passed the kitchen door he entreated his Daddy to show the knife to them, and Tregennis displayed the four broken blades from which he had removed the rust with bits of cinder.
“You will find that most useful, Tregennis,” said Miss Margaret. To Tommy she spoke not at all.
In the doorway she relaxed just a little. “You have really been quite lucky, Tommy,” she remarked, and went with Miss Dorothea down to the sea.
Later the ladies had occasion to buy stamps. Coming from the post-office they saw Tommy sitting on the quay-wall, knocking off bits of mortar with his heels.
“Our one-time friend!” laughed Miss Dorothea, but Miss Margaret looked straight ahead.
When Tommy saw them he slipped from the wall and ran behind them whistling and singing to attract attention. As this proved a dull and ineffectual game he dodged in front kicking an old salmon tin before him as he ran. By the Three Jolly Tars Teddy Falconer was playing. When he saw Tommy he hastily picked up his ball and shrank into the doorway of the inn. Now Tommy would have been distinctly glad for this incident to pass unobserved, but it was at this moment, unluckily, that Miss Margaret became aware of him.
“Why does Teddy look so frightened?” she asked.