Page:Georgie by Dorothea Deakin, 1906.djvu/166

"Georgie" and excited, joined in the laugh against himself and faced us all from the hearth-rug, with his hands in his pockets, defiant and yet ashamed.

"Georgie," said his mother, at last, "you take the first train to Pwllheli in the morning, and give back that child to his relations."

Georgie set his teeth, and I knew that under his breath he made a good round vow to the contrary.

"Yes," said his mother, "I've spoilt you, Georgie, from the day you were born, but there are limits. Snakes are all very well, and even caterpillars—but a boy! When I think of what I went through whilst I was bringing you up. A boy! For me to adopt! My goodness!"

I did not tell her then that Drusilla and I had already had the refusal of him. I felt that it would hardly have been kind to Georgie, and a delighted chorus of laughter from his friends made his face flame as it was.

But he said no more. He merely set 150