n't coming. What's the use of talking?' 'But I like to fancy how it would be,' said Maggie, following him. 'Just think what you would do, Tom.' 'O don't bother, Maggie! you're such a silly. I shall go and see my rabbits.' Maggie's heart began to flutter with fear. She dared not tell the sad truth at once, but she walked after Tom in trembling silence as he went out, thinking how she could tell him the news so as to soften at once his sorrow and his anger. For Maggie dreaded Tom's anger of all things: it was quite a different anger from her own. 'Tom,' she said, timidly, when they were out of doors, 'how much money did you give for your rabbits?' 'Two half-crowns and a sixpence,' said Tom, promptly. 'I think I've got a great deal more than that in my steel purse upstairs. I'll ask mother to give it you.' 'What for?' said Tom. 'I don't wantyour money, you silly thing. I've got a great deal more money than you, because I'm a boy. I always have half-sovereigns and sovereigns for my Christmas boxes, because I shall be a man, and you only have five-shilling pieces, because you're only a girl.' 'Well, but, Tom - if mother would let me give you two half-crowns and a sixpence out of my purse to put into your pocket and spend, you know - and buy some more rabbits with it?' 'More rabbits? I don't want any more.' 'O, but Tom, they're all dead.' Tom stopped immediately in his walk and turned round towards Maggie. 'You forgot to feed 'em then, and Harry forgot,' he said, his colour heightening for a moment, but soon subsiding, 'I'll pitch into Harry - I'll have him turned away. And I don't love you, Maggie. You shan't go fishing with me to-morrow. I told you to go and see the rabbits every day.' He walked on again. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------page 88 'Yes, but I forgot - and I couldn't help it, indeed, Tom. I'm so very sorry,' said Maggie, while the tears rushed fast. 'You're a naughty girl,' said T...
