Stephen Crane

“ Mrs. Earl peered. "Why, it's Jimmie Trescott! Jimmie, cometo the picnic! Why don't you come to the picnic, Jimmie?" Hebegan to sidle toward the cloth.
But at Mrs. Earl's call there was another outburst from manyof the children. "He's got his picnic in a pail! In apail! Got it in a pail!"
Minnie Phelps was a shrill fiend. "Oh, mamma, he's got it inthat pail! See! Isn't it funny? Isn't it dreadful funny?"
"What ghastly prigs children are, Emily!" said the young lady. "They are spoiling that boy's whole day, breaking his heart, thelittle cats! I think I'll go over and talk to him." ”

“ Forinstance, he never travelled without skipping gracefully from crackto crack between the stones, or without pretending that he was atrain of cars, or without some mumming device of childhood. Butnow he behaved with dignity. He made no more noise than a littlemouse. He escorted the beautiful lady to the gate of the Earlhome, where he awkwardly, solemnly, and wistfully shook hands ingood-by. He watched her go up the walk; the door clanged.
On his way home he dreamed. One of these dreams wasfascinating. Supposing the beautiful lady was his teacher inschool! ”

“ When I grow up to be a man, I'm goin' tohave lots an' lots of money, an' I'm goin' to have a grea' bighouse an' a horse an' a shotgun, an' lots an' lots of books 'boutelephants an' tigers, an' lots an' lots of ice-cream an' pie an' -- caramels. ”