Billy indicated Margaret and then closed his eyes so tight his small
face wrinkled.

Soon he was up again. "Wisht I had Snap," he said. "Oh, I ist wisht I
had Snap!"

"I thought you laid a board on Snap and jumped on it," said Wesley.

"We did!" cried Billy--"oh, you ought to heard him squeal!" Billy
laughed loudly, then his face clouded.

"But I want Snap to lay beside me so bad now--that if he was here I'd
give him a piece of my chicken, 'for, I ate any. Do you like dogs?"

"Yes, I do," said Wesley.

Billy was up instantly. "Would you like Snap?"

"I am sure I would," said Wesley.

"Would she?" Billy indicated Margaret. And then he answered his own
question. "But of course, she wouldn't, cos she likes cats, and dogs
chases cats. Oh, dear, I thought for a minute maybe Snap could come
here." Billy lay down and closed his eyes resolutely.

Suddenly they flew open. "Does it hurt to be dead?" he demanded.

"Nothing hurts you after you are dead, Billy," said Wesley.

"Yes, but I mean does it hurt getting to be dead?"