Probable Sons | Page 4

lion one day, but she
is too big; I can't knock her down, though I try hard."
"I will not have Fritz knocked down in that fashion. He might hurt

you," said Sir Edward, sternly.
Milly looked sorrowful; then brightening up, she asked--
"But I may kill Goliath, mayn't I? Do you know that is one of my
games. See, I'm David, and you see that big old tree standing by itself?
That's Goliath. He is looking at me now. Do you see where his eyes
come? Just up there in those first branches. When it's windy he shakes
his head at me fearful! He's a wicked, wicked old thing, and he thinks
no one can knock him down. Do you remember about him, uncle?"
Sir Edward was becoming slightly interested. He leaned against a tree
and took out a cigar.
"No, I don't think I do," he said.
"Don't you remember? He stood up so proud, and called out: 'Choose a
man to come and fight me.' He's saying that to me now. I'm David, you
know, and I'm going. Just wait a moment till I'm ready."
She darted away to where her doll was, and soon returned with a tiny
calico bag, which she opened very carefully and disclosed to her uncle's
puzzled gaze five round stones.
"You see," she went on, "it's a pity I haven't a sling, but Tom in the
stable says he will make me a cattypot; that's a lovely sling, he says,
which would kill anything. But it's all right; I pretend I have a sling,
you know. Now you wait here; I'm going to meet him. I'm not a bit
afraid, though he looks so big, because David wasn't, you know. God
helped him. Now, Goliath, I'm ready!"
Sir Edward looked on in some amusement as Milly stepped out with
regular even steps until she was about twenty feet from the tree, then
suddenly stopped.
"I hear what you say, Goliath. You say you'll give my body to be
pecked at and eaten by the birds; but you won't do that, for I am coming,
and I am going to kill you."

And then with all her strength the child flung her stones one by one at
the tree, pausing for some moments when she had done so.
"He's quite dead, uncle," she said calmly, as she retraced her steps and
stood before Sir Edward, again looking up at him with those earnest
eyes of hers, "quite dead; and if I had a sword I would play at cutting
off his head. I suppose you wouldn't lend me your sword hanging up in
the hall, would you?"
"Most certainly not," was the quick reply. Then taking his cigar from
his mouth, Sir Edward asked:
"And does all your play consist in killing people?"
"I only try to kill the bear and lion and Goliath, because they're so
wicked and so strong."
Milly continued,--
"This is such a lovely place to play in--trees are so nice to have games
with. Shall I tell you some more? Do you see that little tree over there?
That's where I sit when I'm the probable son, and when I've sat there a
long time and been very miserable, and eaten some of the beech nuts
that do for husks, then suddenly I think I will go home to my father. It's
rather a long walk, but I get happier and happier as I go, and I get to
walk very quick at last, and then I run when I see my father. Do you see
that nice big old tree right up there with the red leaves, uncle? That's
him, and I run up and say, 'Father, I have sinned; I am not fit to come
back, but I am so sorry that I left you,' and then I just hug him and kiss
him; and, do you know, I feel he hugs and kisses me back. He does in
the story, you know. And then I have a nice little feast all ready. I get
some biscuits from nurse, and a little jam, and some sugar and water,
and I sit down and feel so happy to think I'm not the probable son any
more, and haven't got to eat husks or be with the pigs. Don't you think
that's a beautiful game, uncle?"
"Do you get all your games from the Bible?" inquired Sir Edward. "I
somehow think it is not quite correct," and he looked very dubiously at

his little niece as he spoke.
"Well," said Milly, the earnest look coming into her eyes again, "I love
the Bible so much, you see. Nurse tells me the stories ever so often, and
I know lots and lots of them. But I like the probable son the