He had eaten scarcely any
breakfast, and Mrs. Graham, who had been anxiously watching him, had
eaten none at all, but things of this sort children don't often notice.
When he passed his little girl's chair, he put his hand kindly on her
shoulder, and the tears that had been so near welled into her eyes.
"Poor Dolly!" Mr. Graham said presently, as he reached for his hat,
"everything seems of a piece." And he gave a great sigh.
Mrs. Graham always went as far as the gate with him, and he thought they
were alone in the hall, but Dick had followed them to the dining-room
door. It was holiday-time, yet Dick was going to Chelmsford for an
examination. He had come out intending to ask his father before he went
to London for half a crown. Dick was just at the age when schoolboys try
to appear exactly the reverse from what they are. He squabbled
constantly with Dorothy, though he loved her very much, and now, when he
heard his father sigh, he put his hands in his pockets as if he didn't
care about anything, and went upstairs whistling.
When Dick got to his room, he took a money-box from the mantelpiece and
smashed it open with the poker. He had been saving up for a new bat, and
the box contained seven shillings. He put the money in his pocket and
ran down again in a great hurry.
"Dick! Dick!" exclaimed his mother, catching him. "Come here! Let me
brush your collar. How rough your hair is! Dick, you must have a new
hat! You can't go into the hall with that one.
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