"Would you like to play hide and seek?" "No; leth not play at rough gameth," said Cuthbert. With a wild spasm of joy William realised that his enemy lisped. It is always well to have a handle against one's enemies. "What shall we do, then?" said Joan, somewhat wearily. "Leth thit down an' I'll tell you fairy thorieth," said Cuthbert.

"All right," he jeered, "don't look at me then. Go on tellin' fairy thorieth." Cuthbert flushed angrily. "You're a nathty rude little boy," he said. "I'll tell my mother." Thus war was declared. He came to tea the next day. Not all William's pleading could persuade his mother to cancel the invitation. "Well," said William darkly, "wait till you've seen him, that's all.