Page:Bambi (1914).djvu/220

198 He skirted several mothers’ meetings conducted on the sidewalk. He even went into a saloon to have a look at the men, but the odour of stale beer and hot bodies was insufferable and drove him out. As he sauntered along, he passed an unlighted business building. Out of the shadow a girl stole, and fell in step beside him.

“Hello, kid!” she began, her hand tucked under his arm. Before she could complete her sentence, a policeman was upon them. He laid hold of the girl roughly.

“Now I got you! I told you to keep off'n this block,” he growled.

“What’s the matter with you? What do you want?” Jarvis demanded.

“I want her to come along with me. That’s what I want.”

“She hasn’t done anything.”

“You bet she hasn’t. I didn’t give her time.”

“Let go of her! What charge are you taking her on?”

“Don’t get fresh, young guy. The charge is s’licitin’."

“That’s a lie! She’s a friend of mine, and she merely said, ‘Good evening.’”