“I only said it again ’cause I thought you didn’t hear the first time. I thought you’d have said, ‘Oh,’ or ‘Yes,’ or ‘No,’ or something if you’d heard.”
There was no answer, and again after a long silence, William spoke.
“I didn’t mind you not sayin’ ‘Oh,’ or ‘Yes,’ or ‘No,’” he said, “only that was what made me say it again, ’cause with you not sayin’ it I thought you’d not heard.”
Mr. Brown arose and moved his chair several feet away. William, on whom hints were wasted, followed.
“I was readin’ a tale yesterday,” he said, “about a man wot’s legs got bit off by sharks——”
Mr. Brown groaned.
“William,” he said politely, “pray don’t let me keep you from your friends.”
“Oh, no, that’s quite all right,” said William. “Well—p’raps Ginger is lookin’ for me. Well, I’ll finish about the man an’ the sharks after tea. You’ll be here then, won’t you?”
“Please, don’t trouble,” said Mr. Brown with sarcasm that was entirely lost on his son.
“Oh, it’s not a trouble,” said William as he strolled off, “I like talkin’ to people.”