Читать книгу Danforth Plays the Game: Stories for Boys Little and Big онлайн

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“Don’t apologize,” he begged. “You don’t mind our speaking to you, do you?”

“No,” replied Harry quietly, feeling the blood creeping into his cheeks and hating himself for it. “What did you want, please?”

“Why—er—suspecting that you were a stranger to our—to these classic shades we wouldst make thee welcome,” replied the dark chap with a grin. “Wouldst impart to us thy cognomen?”

“My name’s Danforth,” answered Harry shortly, facing the smiling faces about him with a frown.

“’Tis a fair name, my boy. Why blush for it?”

“I’m not.”

“You’re not!” gibed another boy. “What do you call it? Say, kid, you’re as red as a beet. What are you ashamed of?”

“Nothing. Is that all you want?”

“Leave us not in anger,” begged the first speaker. “Tell us, rather, of your doughty deeds upon yon trampled field of battle. Didst lay about thee mightily? Didst slay the first team with thine own good right hand?”

“No,” replied Harry, biting his lip to keep down the anger that was beginning to boil inside him.

“No? And what didst thou do, O Ensanguined Knight?”