Mrs. Brown hesitated. She was aware that none of her acquaintances would have described William as a nice little child. Mrs. Bott misunderstood her hesitation. She laid a fat ringed hand on her knee.
“I know, dear. You’re careful who the little laddie knows, like me. Well now, you needn’t worry. I’ve brought up our Violet Elizabeth most particular. She’s a girlie who wouldn’t do your little boysie any harm——”
“Oh,” gasped Mrs. Brown, “it’s not that.”
“Then you’ll come, dearie, and bring the little boysie with you, won’t you?”
She took Mrs. Brown’s speechlessness for consent.
******
“Me?” said William indignantly. “Me go to tea with that ole girl? Me?”
“She—she’s a nice little girl,” said Mrs. Brown weakly.
“I saw her,” said William scathingly, “curls and things.”
“Well, you must come. She’s expecting you.”