“Left to meself,” said Bobbie, “I should never ’ave thought of that. They ain’t so dusty them grapes, though, are they?” he added, admiringly.
“I should rather think not,” said Trixie. “They cost money. How’s your arm? You look nice and neat in your scarlet—” Miss Bell checked herself and bit her lips. “I nearly said bed-gown,” she remarked, apologetically, taking out her watch again.
“You’ve altered,” said Bobbie, “since you came to see me last.”
“Mother says I’m going to grow up tall.”
“Take care you don’t grow up silly the same time. Where’d you get your watch from?”
“Fancy your noticing,” said Trixie Bell, delightedly. “That’s new to-day. Mother gave it me because it was my birthday, and I’d helped nicely with the shop.”
“Many ’appy returns,” he said, gruffly.
“Thank you, Bobbie.”
“Ever see anything of them Drysdale Street bounders? I mean Nose and Libbis and—”
“I never take no notice of nobody,” said the young lady, precisely. “Mother says its best to ignore them altogether. Mother says its unwise even to pass the time of day. So when they call out after me, I simply walk on as though I hadn’t ’eard.”