“I thought you liked me—Don’t you?” She pleaded. “I had to punish you for your naughtiness.”
He said nothing for a moment, then unexpectedly, he put his hand in hers. “I didn’t mean to do anything bad.” His large eyes looked at her earnestly.
“But, Willie, you’re not a baby. I’m afraid I’ll have to mention this to your mother.”
“Mommy’s sick. She’s always sick. You mustn’t bother her.”
Judy was perplexed. “Willie,” she said gently, “tell me why you put the hose on me?”
He looked at her as if surprised at her obtuseness. Then he blurted out, “I wanted to water my garden and you were in the way.”
“Your garden? I didn’t see any garden.”
“Oh, yes, there was, right under the table. I just wanted to water it the way I do at home.”
“I see,” Judy said, not really seeing but trying to understand.