You 're mean as mean can be . '' `` Come now , William John , do n't be so cross . I thought you 'd rather have me home , but I 'll go , if you want me to . '' `` Honest , now ? '' `` Yes , honest . I 'll go anywhere to please you . I must be off to the store now . Goodbye . '' Thus committed , Bertie took his courage in both hands and went . The next evening at dusk found him standing at Doctor Forbes 's door with a very violently beating heart . He was carefully dressed in his well-worn best suit and a neat white collar . The frosty air had crimsoned his cheeks and his hair was curling round his face . Caroline opened the door and showed him into the parlour , where Edith and Amy were eagerly awaiting him . `` Happy New Year , Bertie , '' cried Amy . `` And -- but , why , where is William John ? '' `` He could n't come , '' answered Bertie anxiously -- he was afraid he might not be welcome without William John . `` He 's real sick . He caught cold and has to stay in bed ; but he wanted to come awful bad . '' `` Oh , dear me ! Poor William John ! ''
said Amy XXXXX a disappointed tone .
Forbes John as at if in into to with without