"If your mother knew that you'd spent sevenpence, what d'ye think she'd say to me? She'd say, 'I told you to look after him, and here you let him go chucking the money I sent him to buy a birthday present into his stomach, and making himself as ill as I don't know what! Is that the way to buy a birthday present? Nice affectionate lad you are!'"
At this point Bailey, having discovered the one and fivepence, held it in his hand.
"I shall put this money into my pockets, and I shall take care of it for you, and when you want it, you come to me and ask for it. D'ye hear?"
At this point he slipped the money into his trousers pocket.
Willie wept.
"What are you snivelling for? If you don't stop I'll take care of your desk as well. Now I think of it, Wheeler wants just such a desk as this. I shouldn't be surprised if he gave me sevenpence for it; it would just come in handy."
Bailey subjected the desk to a critical examination.
"I'll tell Mr. Fletcher if you take my desk away."
"What, sneak, would you? As it happens, I don't care for you or Mr. Fletcher either."
Bertie tucked the desk under his arm and moved to the door. Willie flung his head upon his arms and burst into a passion of tears. At the door Bertie turned and surveyed the child.