He would wait for the boy to come to the ground, and would then speak to
him.
But as he was watching the tree intently the movement of the leaves
ceased, and soon he perceived a peering face and two dark, roguish eyes.
They reminded him of a bird, so bright and inquiring were they.
Ted smiled at the eyes, and thought he saw an answering twinkle in them.
They disappeared after a few moments. The leaves shook again, and a boy
of about ten years, incredibly ragged, with a dirty face, hands, and
bare feet and legs, dropped to the ground. His head was covered with a
tangled mop of brown hair in lieu of a hat.
The boy stared at the window, all the while munching an apple, while
from the bulges in his scant trousers it was evident that he had others
for future consumption.
"Hello, boy!" said Ted, with a friendly way.
"Hello! Who are you?" said the boy, coming a few steps nearer, to get a
better view.
"Do you mean what's my name?"
"Uh-huh!"
"My name is Ted Strong. What's yours?"
"Napoleon Bonaparte.
Pages:
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225