The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1909-01-08


hands. Il should think you'd rather
have boy-doll," she added, as she
returned Moll. This one is nice and
big and-and cuddly, but she's kind OF
lat, and needs some new clothes"
A group OF girls trilled, and she
tripped away TO join them. Boy turned
Moll over and surveyed her critically.
New clothes, indeed! Weren't the
skirt and jacket made OF his own best
suit, and the stocking-cap and leg
gings exactly like his own? What
more could a boy want? Girls were
different. He supposed baby-sister
would want a doll like Ediths when
she got big. He tucked Moll up more
comfortably and trudged on. Two or
three big girls passed and chaffed Boy
about the doll. He was tempted TO be
saucy, but remembered Daddy's teach
ings in time 10 tighten his lips and pre-
tend not TO hear. Men must always
be polite 10 ladies'" he reminded him
self as he snuggled Moll closer.
Just before he reached the school
grounds little chap from the kinder
garden bumped against him with
sneering remark about "girl-boys."
Boys face was so red that the freckles
on his nose looked white, and the
hands thrust deep in his pockets were
clenched till they hurt. But the boy
was littler than he and Daddy said
that only towards hurt little fellows.
Boy backed against a tree, and,
looking quite over the smaller ones
head, pursed his lips into a whistle.
He was conscious that it wasn't much
of a tune; the sound wouldn't come,
somehow, but ii served.
Others gathered, some TO join in the
fun, some TO see fair play Boy whis-
lied calmly on till Pug Walters, at least
three sizes larger and the bully Of
the primary grades, stole behind him,
and shouting: Hey, sissy, lend us
your doll" snatched Moll from under
his arm and held her aloft by one leg.
Let's have a game of football, hey?"
He held the doll out and drew back his
foot, but before he could kick, a tor
nado Of arms and legs struck him, and
the doll was forgotten in an attempt TO
defend himself.
Now Boy was no mollycOddle, in
spite Of the alliterative titles and his
beloved doll. Among Daddy's theories
was one that every male human be-
ing should be able 10 defend himself,
! and Boy had been learning TO do that
about the time he got stead~ on his
| feet.
The units of the yelling circle that
formed as If by magic saw no occa-
sion 10 interfere, and Boy. unconscious
ly giving vent 10 the loneliness and
heartache Of the preceding days, as
we'll as the rage that had been accu-
mulating over the insults 10 himself
and Mol, pommeled his antagonist
with vim cheered on by his partizans.
1t was a fight to the finish, with no
referee 10 call time. Back and forth
they went now one gaining and now
the other. Boy forced Pug TO the edge
of the ring and was about 10 strike
once more, when a sudden silence dis.
concerted him. Looking up, he found
Teacher close beside him and grieved
droop to the corners of her mouth and
turning his head TO avoid her eyes, he
saw Daddy at the outside of the ring,
watching in puzzled silence
Miss Haines turned to the biggest
one of the group, You might have
prevented this" she murmured re-
proachfully. You know how we de-
pend on you big boys" She pushed
Pug toward him. Since you didn't
see fit TO stop the fight, you may take
this boy TO the cloakroom and put him
in order, and then take him TO his
teacher"
Boy, narrowly watching Miss Haines
thought he detected a flash of salts
faction in her glance at Pug's rather
swollen face. But he told himself
that he must be mistaken; Teacher
couldn't be anything but sorry over
fight Daddy. now
Someone had picked up the doll. and
Miss Haines was brushing and shaking
il as though her one object in life
NaG 10 render il immaculate When
al the boys had gone, she extended
| her hand without a word and Boy
took il. feeling himself grow smaller
every instant. Daddy stood aloof. as
though merely an observer. Could II
be possible that he did not mean 10
interfere, 10 explain? Teacher would
be kind. of course and she would mean
o be just, but she couldn't understand;
ladies never did. not even Muyver-lov-
er. He'd have TO be punished, he knew
but he wouldn't mind that-much-if
Daddy would only 20 away. His lips
were beginning 10 tremble, and II he
should cry, Daddy would be 30
ashamed.
Neville's hand closed reassurinely
over the dirtyt .bloods' aimed one hat
stretched toward him in half-cOnsciCus
appeal. bu. loosened as Miss Haines
brought a basin and proceeded 10 wash