"Why?" he said sharply.
"Jus' 'cause I've read them, that's all," explained William with a bland look of innocence.
The glance that Mr. Brown threw at his offspring was not altogether devoid of suspicion, but he said nothing. He set off after breakfast with the same parcel of books under his arm and returned with another. This time, however, he did not put them in the library cupboard, and William searched in vain.
The question of Christmas festivities loomed large upon the social horizon.
"Robert and Ethel can have their party on the day before Christmas Eve," decided Mrs. Brown, "and then William can have his on Christmas Eve."
William surveyed his elder brother and sister gloomily.
"Yes, an' us eat up jus' what they've left," he said with bitterness. "I know!"
Mrs. Brown changed the subject hastily.
"Now let's see whom we'll have for your party, William," she said, taking out pencil and paper. "You say whom you'd like and I'll make a list."
"Ginger an' Douglas an' Henry and Joan," said William promptly.