And she murmured back, as if it was a stunt, “Jack”--and then rustlings. I'd call him Jack all the afternoon if he liked. Then, after another of those still games, Peggy said, “Ow!” as if somebody'd pinched her, and that seemed such a queer remark that I stood up to see what they were up to. Getting to my feet I swung the line around and the bait flopped up the bank and hit Peg square in the mouth--I give you my word I didn't mean to, but it was awfully funny! My! didn't she squeal bloody murder? That's what makes a person despise Peggy. She's no sort of sport. Another time I remember I had some worms in an envelope, and I happened to feel them in my pocket, so I pulled out one and slid it down the back of her neck, and you'd have thought I'd done something awful. She yelped and wriggled and cried--she did--she actually cried. And you wouldn't believe what she finished up by doing--she went and took a bath! A whole bath--when she didn't have to! She can't see a joke at all. Now Alice is a horrid meddler--she and Maria. Yet Alice is a sport, and takes her medicine. I've seen that girl with a beetle in her hair, which I put there, keep her teeth shut and not make a sound--only a low gurgle--until she'd got him and slung him out of the window. Then she lammed me, I tell you--I respected her for it too--but she couldn't now, I'm stronger. Oh, golly! Lorraine will cut down the cookies if I don't tell what happened. I don't exactly know what was next, but Dr. Denbigh somehow had me by the collar and gave me a yank, like a big dog does a little one. “See here, you young limb,” he said, “I'm--I'm going to--” and then he suddenly stopped and looked at Peggy and began to chuckle, and Peggy laughed and turned lobster color, and put her face in her hands and just howled. Of course I grinned too, and then I glanced up at him lovingly and murmured “Jack,” just like Peggy did. That seemed to sober him, and he considered a minute. “Listen, Billy,” he began, slowly; “we're in your power, but I'm going to trust you.” I just hooted, because there wasn't much else he could do. But he didn't smile, only his eyes sort of twinkled. “Be calm, my son,” he said. “You're a gentleman, I believe, and all I need do is to point out that what you've seen and heard is not your secret. I'm sure you realize that it's unnecessary to ask you not to tell. Of course, you'll never tell one word--NOT ONE WORD--” and he glared. “That's understood, isn't it?” I said, “Yep,” sort of scared. He's splendidly big and arrogant, and has that man-eating look, but he's a peach all the same. “Are we friends--and brothers?” he asked, and slid a look at Peg. “Yep,” I said again, and I meant it. “Shake,” said Dr. Denbigh, and we shook like two men.