returning, he saw Alexander ahead of him, on his way home from school. 'Wait!' he was crying out. 'Wait for me!' The Ebbetts children, some distance away, turned and called something back. Macon couldn't hear the words, but the voices were high and cruel. Alexander started running, clumsy in his heavy shoes. Behind him a group of older children also started calling out and laughing. Alexander turned and looked at them. His face was somehow smaller than usual. 'Go,' Marcon told Edward, and he dropped the leash.
Edward flew down the street. The older children ran away as he rushed at them, barking. He stopped suddenly in front of Alexander, and Alexander knelt down to hug his neck. When Macon arrived, he said, 'Are you all right?'
Alexander nodded and got to his feet. 'What was all that about?' Macon asked him.
Alexander said, 'Nothing.' But when they started walking again, he slipped his hand into Macon's.
Macon held those cool little fingers in his, and felt a pleasant kind of sadness running through him. Oh, danger had returned to his life. He was forced to worry once again about wars and disasters and the future of the world.
Julian stopped by to discuss the U.S. guides for the West Coast. It seemed an unnecessary visit to Macon-no doubt the real purpose was to spy-and he kept Julian in the living room. The others were all in the kitchen, and Macon had no intention of letting Julian meet them.
But Julian said, 'Aren't you going to introduce me to Muriel?
'She's busy.'
'I'd really like to meet her.'
'Why? Hasn't Rose given you a full report?'