"But
the lion _isn't_ coming. What's the use of talking?"

"But I like to fancy how it would be," said Maggie, following him.
"Just think what you would do, Tom?"

"Oh, don't bother, Maggie! you're such a silly--I shall go and see
my rabbits."

Maggie's heart began to flutter with fear. She dared not tell the
sad truth at once, but she walked after Tom in trembling silence as
he went out, thinking how she could tell him the news so as to
soften at once his sorrow and anger; for Maggie dreaded Tom's anger
of all things--it was quite a different anger from her own.

"Tom," she said, timidly, when they were out-of-doors, "how much
money did you give for your rabbits?"

"Two half-crowns and a sixpence," said Tom, promptly.

"I think I've got a great deal more than that in my steel purse
up-stairs. I'll ask mother to give it you."

"What for?" said Tom. "I don't want _your_ money, you silly thing.
I've got a great deal more money than you, because I'm a boy. I
always have half-sovereigns and sovereigns for my Christmas boxes,
because I shall be a man, and you only have five-shilling pieces,
because you're only a girl."

"Well, but, Tom--if mother would let me give you two half-crowns
and a sixpence out of my purse to put into your pocket to spend,
you know, and buy some more rabbits with it?"

"More rabbits? I don't want any more."

"Oh, but, Tom, they're all dead."

Tom stopped immediately in his walk and turned round toward Maggie.
"You forgot to feed 'em, then, and Harry forgot?" he said, his
color heightening for a moment, but soon subsiding. "I'll pitch
into Harry--I'll have him turned away. And I don't love you,
Maggie. You sha'n't go fishing with me to-morrow. I told you to go
and see the rabbits every day." He walked on again.

"Yes. But I forgot--and I couldn't help it, indeed, Tom. I'm so
very sorry," said Maggie, while the tears rushed fast.

"You're a naughty girl," said Tom, severely, "and I'm sorry I
bought you the fish-line. I don't love you."

"Oh, Tom, it's very cruel," sobbed Maggie. "I'd forgive you if
_you_ forgot anything--I wouldn't mind what you did--I'd forgive
you and love you."

"Yes, you're a silly; but I never _do_ forget things--_I_ don't."

"Oh, please forgive me, Tom; my heart w