Seventeen

``Well, let her!'' returned William, still severe.

``They said she was goin' to bring a girl to visit her,'' Johnnie began in a confidential tone. ``They said she was a reg'lar ringdinger and--''

``Well, what if she is?'' the discouraging Mr. Baxter interrupted. ``Makes little difference to ME, I guess!''

``Oh no, it don't. YOU don't take any interest in girls! OH no!''

``No, I do not!'' was the emphatic and heartless retort. ``I never saw one in my life I'd care whether she lived or died!''

``Honest?'' asked Johnnie, struck by the conviction with which this speech was uttered. ``Honest, is that so?''

``Yes, `honest'!'' William replied, sharply. ``They could ALL die, I wouldn't notice!''

Johnnie Watson was profoundly impressed. ``Why, I didn't know you felt that way about 'em, Silly Bill. I always thought you were kind of--''

``Well, I do feel that way about 'em!'' said William Sylvanus Baxter, and, outraged by