The man who sat at the desk was reading a letter. There was a look of fear upon his face. Suddenly he looked up and met William's unflinching gaze. They stared at each other for a few moments, then the man put down the letter and ran from the room. Obviously it was the sight of William that had moved him. In a less defiant mood towards the world in general William might have taken to his heels. Now he stood his ground, frowning ferociously at the man as he came out of the front-door. But his ferocity was not needed.
"I say," began the man, "do you live near here?"
William's frown did not relax.
"Stayin' here," he admitted ungraciously.
"I say," said the man again, "could you help me? Just for this afternoon. I'll give you everything you want—a shilling, two shillings, ten shillings," he went on wildly, "anything. You can come to this garden any day you like as long as you stay here. You can birds'-nest in the wood. I've got a boy's tricycle you can have and—you can do anything you like in the garden—there's a pond behind the house——"
"Can I have all those things you said, and do all those things you said?" said William guardedly.
"Yes—yes—if you'll do what I tell you just for this afternoon."
"I'd do anything for those things," said William simply.
"Come in," said the man nervously. "There's not much time. She'll be here any moment."
"When she comes," said the man quickly—"she'll be here any minute now—I want you to pretend you're called Peter and I'm your mother—do you see?"