Brother Billy Read online

  CHAPTER VI. ORANGES

  After supper Billy thought longingly of his orange. He wondered ifit was thick-skinned and if it was juicy. He felt pretty sure it wassweet, and the more he thought of it the sweeter it seemed to hisimagination. Billy was just saying to himself that, if he had not givenaway his orange, he would eat it without asking his mother for sugar,when he stumbled upon Gerald leaning over the wood-box in the kitchen.

  "What are you doing out here all alone?" demanded Billy.

  "What business is it of yours, I'd like to know? Why don't you go backin the other room?" Gerald grumbled, making rather lively motionsaround three sides of the wood-box, as he tried to keep his back towardBilly.

  "Aw, pig!" sniffed Billy, "eating your orange out here where nobody'dsee you, so you wouldn't have to divide. Orange juice running all downyour arm, and I'm glad of it, pig!"

  "Got an orange of your own," was Gerald's retort.

  "Haven't either," declared Billy.

  "Then you've eaten it up, and now who's a pig, I'd like to know? Ioffered to divide my orange with Selma, but she was in a hustle toget her dishes washed and get down-town, and it isn't my fault if shecouldn't wait for me to get it peeled. You're the pig, Billy, becauseyou didn't even offer to divide with anybody."

  "No, I gave my whole orange to Antoine before I even stopped to smellof it," wailed Billy, "and I guess if I had a little brother thathadn't had a smell of orange, I'd give him a piece."

  Gerald whistled. "Who ever'd think you'd do such a thing, Billy? Here,little boy, is your reward of merit," and Gerald, thrusting half hisorange into Billy's outstretched hand, walked away, whistling.

  Half an orange made Billy wish for more. It was a sweet one and juicy.He wondered if Betty's orange was anywhere near as good. Later in theevening Gerald went out on the beach with his father to see if therewere any boats in sight to be reported. While he was gone, Bettyprepared to eat her orange.

  "Come on, Billy," she suggested, "get your rocker, and we'll eat ouroranges while mamma undresses the baby. I'm glad it is a chilly night,so we had to have a fire in the grate."

  A wistful expression crept into Billy's face. "I gave my orange toAntoine to take to 'Phonse," was his reply in sorrowful tones.

  "Why, you dear, good Billy, you shall have half of mine. Bring yourrocker here beside of me, and we'll eat my orange together. See mysaucer of sugar. I'll divide that with you, too."

  Billy, more than willing, was thoroughly enjoying himself when Geraldreturned. The minute the door was opened, the boy stuffed the lastpiece of his half of Betty's orange into his mouth so quickly Bettycouldn't imagine what ailed him.

  Gerald's remark upon beholding this performance was an explosion."Pig!" he shouted. Explanations followed, and Billy was sent into thekitchen to do some quiet thinking. The cat followed him, whether fromcuriosity or because she liked Billy, it is impossible to say.

  When Billy climbed into a hard, uncomfortable chair, so high hisfeet couldn't touch the floor, the cat jumped upon another chair andsettled down to watch him. At first Billy looked ashamed of himselfand miserable. For a minute he seemed to think of pulling his loosetooth; but, after touching it ever so gently, he shook his head. Then,observing a strange expression on the cat's face, Billy half-smiled;that is, the smile stopped just below his eyes, whose solemn stareremained unchanged.

  That was enough for the cat. With a remark that sounded exactly likewhat she used to say to her kittens when she brought them a mouse, shebounded into Billy's chair, and began rubbing against him, purringcheerfully. By the time she had flourished her tail in his face, lickedhis hands, and clawed at his red sweater for a few seconds, Billylaughed merrily.

  Perhaps if the cat had minded her own business, Billy would not haveforgotten his disgrace so quickly. However that may be, the small boyslipped down from his chair and had a good time. He played tiger inthe jungle with the cat until she objected; then he played he was thenorthwest wind, sending everything helter-skelter before his icy breath.

  Suddenly Billy bethought him of a new game, and a few minutes later thewhole family rushed into the kitchen half-fearing that the stove musthave fallen upon the child, so unusual was the racket they heard. Therewas no cause for alarm. At the moment Billy was Antoine's cow. A bigtin pail attached to his waist by Betty's jumping-rope was the blackstick of wood.

  When the family appeared at the door, the cow was standing in front ofthe black stick of wood, stamping its feet and snorting, "Woof! woof!woof!" The cat was nowhere in sight.