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 ain’t all of her business. I like her, but she ain’t the keeper of my sekerts like the Bee Master was and like you’re going to be now in his place. So I’ll tell you what I wished for my little brother when I saw the light that makes wishing come true. I thought of it just the minute I saw, the light, ’cause even worse than I want a horse, I want the thing I wished for my little brother. So just as quick and just as hard as ever I could say it, right in my heart and looking straight at the light, I said: ‘I wish that our Jimmy will not ever grow up to be a cad!’”

Jamie arose and took the little Scout by the hand. “Come on, Jean,” he said, “let’s go home.”

The little Scout bounded expertly from crag to crag down the rock in front of him and waited for him at the base.

“You seem to like my name.”

“Well,” said Jamie, “there couldn’t be a lovelier name. It’s something to know about you definitely, and at that it doesn’t tell me whether you’re a boy or a girl.”

Jamie saw the mutiny that instantly dawned in the eyes raised to his.

“Still harpin’ on that old no-sense thing, are you?” demanded the little person. “Still fussin’ over trifles when you are satisfied with the big thing. If I’m your partner and you’re the keeper of my sekerts, and we’re goin’ home together, ain’t that enough for you?”

“That ought to be almost enough for any man,” answered Jamie.

So they started up the path toward the back gate.