Just William Read Online Free PDF

the train of the all-conquering Miss Cannon to
the drawing-room and sat on the sofa with Robert who had taken his seat next to his beloved.
    ‘Are you – er – fond of reading, Miss Cannon?’ began Robert with a painful effort.
    ‘I – wrote a tale once,’ said William boastfully, leaning over Robert before she could answer. ‘It was a jolly good one. I showed it to some people. I’ll
show it to you if you like. It began with a pirate on a raft an’ he’d stole some jewel’ry and the king the jewels belonged to was coming after him on a steamer and jus’ when
he was comin’ up to him he jumped into the water and took the jewels with him an’ a fish eat the jewels and the king caught it an’ ’ he paused for breath.
    ‘I’d love to read it!’ said Miss Cannon.
    Robert turned sideways, and resting an arm on his knee to exclude the persistent William, spoke in a husky voice.
    ‘What is your favourite flower, Miss Cannon?’
    William’s small head was craned round Robert’s arm.
    ‘I’ve gotter garden. I’ve got Virginia Stock growin’ all over it. It grows up in no time. An’ must’erd ’n cress grows in no time, too. I like things
what grow quick, don’t you? You get tired of waiting for the other sorts, don’t you?’
    Robert rose desperately.
    ‘Would you care to see the garden and greenhouses, Miss Cannon?’ he said.
    ‘I’d love to,’ said Miss Cannon.
    WILLIAM’S SMALL HEAD WAS CRANED ROUND ROBERT’S ARM. ‘I LIKE THINGS WHAT GROW QUICK, DON’T YOU?’ HE SAID – ALL INNOCENT ANIMATION.
    With a threatening glare at William, Robert led the way to the garden. And William, all innocent animation, followed.
    ‘Can you tie knots what can’t come untied?’ he demanded.
    ‘No,’ she said, ‘I wish I could.’
    ‘I can. I’ll show you. I’ll get a piece of string and show you afterwards. It’s easy but it wants practice, that’s all. An’ I’ll teach you how to make
aeroplanes out of paper what fly in the air when it’s windy. That’s quite easy. Only you’ve gotter be careful to get ’em the right size. I can make ’em and I can make
lots of things out of matchboxes an’ things an’—’
    The infuriated Robert interrupted.
    ‘These are my father’s roses. He’s very proud of them.’
    ‘They’re beautiful.’
    ‘Well, wait till you see my Virginia Stock! that’s all. Wait—’
    ‘Will you have this tea rose, Miss Cannon?’ Robert’s face was purple as he presented it. ‘It – it – er – it suits you. You – er – flowers
and you – that is – I’m sure – you love flowers – you should – er – always have flowers. If I—’
    An’ I’ll get you those red ones and that white one,’ broke in the equally infatuated William, determined not to be outshone. An’ I’ll get you some of my Virginia
Stock. An’ I don’t give my Virginia Stock to anyone ,’ he added with emphasis.
    When they re-entered the drawing-room, Miss Cannon carried a large bouquet of Virginia Stock and white and red roses which completely hid Robert’s tea rose. William was by her side,
chatting airily and confidently. Robert followed – a pale statue of despair.
    In answer to Robert’s agonised glance, Mrs Brown summoned William to her corner, while Robert and Miss Cannon took their seat again upon the sofa.
    ‘I hope – I hope,’ said Robert soulfully, ‘I hope your stay here is a long one?’
    ‘Well, why sha’n’t I jus’ speak to her?’ William’s whisper was loud and indignant.
    ‘Shh, dear!’ said Mrs Brown.
    ‘I should like to show you some of the walks around here,’ went on Robert desperately with a fearful glance towards the corner where William stood in righteous indignation before his
mother. ‘If I could have that – er – pleasure – er – honour?’
    ‘I was only jus’ speaking to her,’ went on William’s voice. ‘I wasn’t doin’ any harm, was I? Only speaking to her!’
    The silence was intense. Robert, purple,