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194 WILLIAM |
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and gun. Their song died away and they hastily assumed expressions suitable to those who are quietly and industriously engaged in the work of the Church.
" Where are you off to ? " he challenged them sternly.
" Jus' doin' a little errand for the Vic'rage," said William unctuously.
The man passed on growling.
The Outlaws executed a war dance in the middle of the road.
" I bet he's goin' over to Marleigh," chanted William. " I bet he won't be comin' home till to-night. I bet well have all day there with no one to stop us."
An' we'll be able to get some jolly fine holly," put in Douglas, who evidently still felt faint stirrings of his conscience.
" Oh, yes," said William, " we'll be able to get some jolly fine holly. That's why we're goin' there, of course."
The morning passed quickly. They lit a fire and played Red Indians, adorned with the feathered headdress that they always carried with them. The wheelbarrow played the parts successively of fortress, wagon, cave and mountain top. Even Douglas forgot the holly till they were on their homeward way. Then he said in a voice of pained surprise:
" Why—why—we haven't got any holly."
" No," agreed William hastily from the wheelbarrow where he was lying recumbent in the character of a mortally wounded chieftain, " No . . . you know we thought we'd better not get it in the mornin' case it got dead an' droopin', you know, cause we wanted it to be the best holly an'—an' worthy of the Church, same as what she said."
" So we'll start gettin' it this afternoon," said Douglas.
" Oh, yes," said the wounded chieftain, " course we will."
After lunch they approached the keeper's cottage, |
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