'Where are
the bright new half-crowns that were _in_ the money-box when I
left it with you--the half-crowns that got changed into pennies, Tom?
Where are they? What's the use of having a skull for a money-box if
it's got no money in it? That's what _I_ want to know, Tom!'
'Here's a young gentleman,' said Tom, 'as I've done all these things
for, and how does he treat me? He says, "Why, Tom, you know you're
drunk, you silly old fool."'
At this pathetic appeal the little girl sprang up and turned towards
me with the ferocity of a young tigress. Her little hands were
tightly clenched, and her eyes seemed positively to be emitting blue
sparks. Many a bold boy had I encountered on the sands before my
accident, and many a fearless girl, but such an impetuous antagonist
as this was new. I leaned on my crutches, however, and looked at her
unblenchingly.
'You wicked English boy, to make my father cry,' said she, as soon as
her anger allowed her to speak. 'If you were not lame I'd--I'd--I'd
hit you.'
I did not move a muscle, but stood lost in a dream of wonder at her
amazing loveliness.
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