"I was working in the garden with Dickon,"
said Mary.

Colin frowned and condescended to look at her.

"I won't let that boy come here if you go and
stay with him instead of coming to talk to me,"
he said.

Mary flew into a fine passion. She could fly
into a passion without making a noise. She just
grew sour and obstinate and did not care what
happened.

"If you send Dickon away, I'll never come into
this room again!" she retorted.

"You'll have to if I want you," said Colin.

"I won't!" said Mary.

"I'll make you," said Colin, "They shall
drag you in."

"Shall they, Mr. Rajah!" said Mary fiercely.
"They may drag me in but they can't make me
talk when they get me here. I'll sit and clench
my teeth and never tell you one thing. I won't
even look at you. I'll stare at the floor!"

They were a nice agreeable pair as they glared
at each other. If they had been two little street
boys they would have sprung at each other and had
a rough-and-tumble fight. As it was, they did the
next thing to it.

"You are a selfish thing!" cried Colin.

"What are you?" said Mary. "Selfish people

[[211]]

p210 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p211w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p212

v?