Thegirlsunderstoodthispantomimeatonce，andbegantopulloftheirthimblesbeforeMrs。JocoulddecidewhetherTommywasgoingintoconvulsionsorwasbrewingsomeunusualpieceofmischief。Demiexplainedwithelaboration，permissionwasreadilygranted，andtheboysdepartedwiththeirprize。
“Don’tyouspeaktoJack，“whisperedTommy，asheandNanpromenadeddownthehalltogetaforktopricktheapples。
“Whynot？“
“Helaughsatme，soIdon’twishyoutohaveanythingtodowithhim。“
“Shall，ifIlike，“saidNan，promptlyresentingthisprematureassumptionofauthorityonthepartofherlord。