and its tail comed right off. She's going to whip me if he lets her. I didn't know the turkey would pull. I didn't know its tail would come off. I won't ever touch one again, will I?"
"Of course you won't," said Mrs. Comstock. "And what's more, I don't care if you do! I'd rather have a fine little man like you than all the turkeys in the country. Let them lose their old tails if they want to, and let the cats fight. Cats and turkeys don't compare with boys, who are going to be fine big men some of these days."
Then Billy and Mrs. Comstock hugged each other rapturously, and their audience stared in silent amazement.
"You like boys!" exulted Billy, and his head dropped against Mrs. Comstock in unspeakable content.
"Yes, and if I don't have to carry you the whole way home, we must start right now," said Mrs. Comstock. "You are going to be asleep before you know it."
Billy opened his eyes and braced himself. "I can walk," he said proudly.
"All right, we must start. Come, Elnora! Good night, folks!" Mrs. Comstock set Billy on the floor, and arose gripping his hand. "You take the other side, Elnora, and we will help him as much as we can," she said.
Elnora stared piteously at Margaret, then at Wesley, and arose in white-faced bewilderment.
"Billy, are you going to leave without even saying good-bye to me?" asked Sinton, with a great gulp in his throat.
