Kathleen--who is Mrs.Severn, our guardian--is always with us when we are permitted to speak to other boys and girls." "That's babyish," remarked Duane in frank disgust.

"You are a mollycoddle." The deep red of mortification spread over Scott's face; he looked shyly at Naida, doubly distressed that a girl should hear the degrading term applied to him.

The small girl returned his gaze without a particle of expression in her face.
"Mollycoddles," continued Duane cruelly, "do the sort of things you do.
You're one." "I--don't _want_ to be one," stammered Scott.

"How can I help it ?" Duane ignored the appeal.

"Playing with three boys isn't anything," he said.