I was only--foolin'!" and he tried to smile a sickly smile; but his eyes fell before the stern glance of the gray eyes fixed so unwaveringly on him.
"Go to your room!" said Hilda, briefly.

He hesitated.

The lock clicked, and the girl took deliberate aim.
"I'm goin'!" shrieked the rascal, and began backing towards the door, while Hilda followed step by step, still covering him with her deadly( !) weapon.

They crossed the kitchen and the back hall in this way, and Simon stumbled against the narrow stairs which led to his garret room.
"I dassn't turn round to g' up!" he whined; "ye'll shoot me in the back." No answer; but the lock clicked again, more ominously than before.

He turned and fled up the stairs, muttering curses under his breath.