Page:Arthur Stringer-The Loom of Destiny.djvu/135

The Honour of Hummerley It made his lonely little heart burn with jealousy. At first he used to think the man was an ogre, because his teeth were so white, but when he told this to his mamma, she called him a wicked little boy for talking so dreadfully about a nice, kind gentleman.

However, Tiddlywinks was steadfast in his hate, and it was with all his soul that he hated this Man with the Bald Head. One day he heard the cook say that that man had no business around the house so often, shaking her head very ominously as she made the remark to Sally, the maid.

After that, Tiddlywinks' life was one of endless anxiety and watchfulness. He had a vague idea that the Ogre was going to burn down the stables some night, or carry off the silver-ware, or steal his mamma. Had his papa not told him to take good care of her? In his extremity he stole Hal's gun and hid it under his bed. There it was found a few days later by Sally, the housemaid, whereupon Tiddlywinks was once more sent early to bed, and all but set down as an incorrigible little murderer. 123