“I hope not, my dear. Only we don’t know what has become of it. And you said you wanted Dick Somers to see that we have nice things in California.”
Jimmy writhed in strong excitement.
“Yes, mamma, he’s just the meanest boy! I wish I could tell you how mean he is. When I carried him the”—
Jimmy paused suddenly. There was silence for half a minute while he struggled with himself. It seemed as if he were almost on the point of confession, and something held him back. Was it so? His mother could not be sure, for he would not let her see his face.
“So you carried something to Dick? What was it, Jamie?”
“O mamma, mamma! don’t ask me. I can’t tell. He was so mean about it, mamma!”
About the cake? Mrs. Dunlee wondered. Had Dick teased the little boy by finding fault with it? If so, Jimmy would not like to tell her. A word against his mother, or against anything his mother did, was always very hard for Jimmy to bear.
“What did Dick say or do that was mean, my son? Do not be afraid to tell mamma.”
“Oh, I can’t tell you what he said!”
Jimmy had not looked up at all, and now he hid his face in his hands.