the danger of approaching
vehicles; he begged her to step this way or that in order not to muddy
her shoes; and along the flower beds of Boulevard Place he insisted upon
her telling him which she preferred, red geraniums or pink, and why.

As they came into East Maplewood his manner changed. A frown settled
between his eyes, and he drew a long breath of rising indignation. He
was deciding evidently that patience and forbearance had reached their
limit. Stopping short in front of a little candy store, he turned upon
Margery with a sudden grim threat in voice and eye.

"Now, then, Margery, I've stood this foolin' long enough! Beat it!"

But Margery gave him back look for look, and, instead of shrinking away
at sight of his determined glance, answered emphatic scowl with scowl
just as emphatic.

"You've stood this fooling long enough, have you, Willie Jones? And what
about me? There's just one thing I want to tell you: You'll never get
rid of me until you give me my nickel!"

"Aw, go on----"

Willie Jones broke off as two little girls who were passing stopped to
look inquiringly, not to say inquisitively, from him to Margery. They
were both a few years older than Margery, poor children evidently, for
one of them carried a parcel of afternoon papers that she seemed to be
delivering. It was the other one who, after a moment's pause, addressed
Margery:

"What's the matter, little girl? Has he got a nickel of yours?"

Margery hesitated. Her struggle with Willie Jones was so much like a
family quarrel that she was loath to call in outside interference. Truth
to tell, if Willie Jones had been her own brother Henry, she would have
died rather than disclose to the world the disgraceful cause of their
wrangle. But Willie Jones wasn't Henry, and, besides that, Henry, though
he was a boy, would never act this way about a nickel that was really
hers. This thought decided her. She would give Willie Jones one more
chance, and then, if he still persisted in ignoring the justice of her
claim, she would force the situation by inviting the assistance of these
friendly strangers.

Her words, though directed only to Willie, told the listening world all
that it need know.

"I don't know what's the matter with you, Willie. I don't see why you're
acting so mean. You know very well that nickel in your pocket, on the
right-hand side, is mine. Now, I ask you for the last time: Please give
it to me."

Margery held out her hand, but Wi