"No," objected K. Stuyvesant; "it's poisoned. We'll take it to a drug store and get them to kill it." "Oh, no!" said Cecilia. "See here," said the boy, "the cat will die. I've had dogs of mine poisoned. It's the most merciful thing to have it killed. It'll only suffer and drag its life out if you take it home." "I see," said Cecilia. "I suppose you know. It's just as you say." "Good kid," he commented. His comment called forth an agony and elation. Cecilia wished for the longer dresses with which she'd come to school. The boy picked up the cat gently and wrapped his handkerchief about it. "Come on," he said. "Drug store around the corner." Cecilia followed. She could not keep up to him. Half the time she ran. The whole affair was humiliating. "Thank the Lord no one saw me!" said the boy when they got inside the drug store. He looked at Cecilia. They both laughed. "Sit down," he said. "I'm going to buy you a soda." Cecilia sat down. "Choclut," she ordered. He sat down opposite her, and put his arms on the sticky little table. He thought he looked on the prettiest child he'd ever seen.... She seemed entirely and only a child. "What's your name?" he asked. "Cecilia Evangeline Agnes Madden," she answered. "Well, Cecilia Evangeline," he said, "don't try to eat the bottom of the glass; I'm wealthy to-day. I'm going to buy you another soda!" "Oh," answered Cecilia, "I really oughtn't." At a motion the clerk bent above her. "C-could I have a sundae?" asked Cecilia. The boy laughed and nodded. "Peach," said Cecilia, "with a good deal of whipped cream on top, if you please!" She smiled frankly on K. Stuyvesant. "I'm having a fine time!" she said. Her sentimental dreams of him had vanished. He didn't talk a bit like the phantom, but he was nicer! "What's your name, please?" she asked. She knew, but little Cecilia at fourteen was a woman. "Keefer Stuyvesant Twombly," he answered. "Rotten name. Imagine being hailed as 'Keefer'! It sounds like some one's butler. It isn't a nice name, is it,
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