Page:Georgie by Dorothea Deakin, 1906.djvu/168

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"Georgie"

There was a general shriek. Georgie laughed shortly, and took poor Taffy from the girl.

"Little chap," he murmured to her with a dejected laugh. "He'll play for his county some day. These beggars won't jeer at him then. He can kick now like anything. Been practising on my shins. You 're a brick, Diana, but it's a beastly hard-hearted world."

"I've got brothers of my own," said Diana gravely. She was a queer little lady.

Looking for late roses for Drusilla's table the next day, I heard a familiar shout from the gate: Georgie.

"Come in!" I called.

"I can't. You come here, Martin. I want to speak to you."

In some surprise, I went down the path to him. His face was pale, but in spite of his pallor he carried a triumphant air.

"Well?" I asked breathlessly.

"Whew!" said he, taking off his hat to

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