inkle came into
Bobby's eyes as they stole a look at Nurse's impassive face), 'Nobbles
telled me he'd soon make him mind him; and the first thing he wants him
to do is to lick that big boy who hit me.'

'Oh, you mustn't talk of fighting; it's only wicked boys who do that.
The Bible says, "Forgive your enemies."'

Bobby looked thoughtful.

'Shall I get my white robe dirty if I fight? My friend who read the
tex' to me said wicked things made white dresses dirty.'

'Of course they do. Good boys never fight.'

'I don't think I'm a good boy,' said Bobby, shaking his head. 'Me and
Nobbles would love to knock that boy down; but I don't want to dirty my
dress--I reely don't.'

The very next day after this conversation, whilst he was sitting in his
apple-tree, Bobby saw the big bully coming down the road. He hastily
had a whispered consultation with Nobbles, and then, leaning over the
wall, shouted to him to stop. Feeling secure in his position, he shook
Nobbles threateningly at him.

'Do you see my stick? We wants 'normously to come down and lick you,
but we aren't going to; but if you dare to touch me ever again I'll
tell my father when he comes home, and he'll punish you well.'

'Yah, baby!' yelled the bully, taking up a stone to fling at him.

Bobby hastily scrambled down from his perch and ran indoors.

Somehow or other the mention of his father brought a forlorn longing to
his small heart He saw his grandmother go off for her daily drive, and
crept silently into the big hall. Sitting down at the foot of the
stairs he heaved a big sigh.

'Oh, I wish he'd come! I can't do without him no longer! I'm sure,
certain sure, I could find him if I went to look for him.'

For a long time this idea had been simmering in his head. This
afternoon it took shape and form.

''Sposing, Nobbles, my father has forgotten the house? Why, one day he
may drive right past it; and if I was out there to stop him, how lovely
it would be!'

Bobby leapt to his feet. The front door was open; down the drive he
sped to the big iron gate which led out to the high-road. And then the
impulse seized him to go up the road himself and ask anyone coming
along if they had seen his father drive by.

'Just fink, Nobbles, we shall see him coming along in a grand carriage
with lots of horses; and he'll stop, and the horses will stop, and the
coachmens; and he'll open his arms, and me and you will run straight
into them; and we'll go ri