Usually he had an entourage of ruffian orphans at his back, the lot of them hunting for suitable playmates; the helpless and the helpful, the brave and the weak, the poor and more desirably the wealthy! His methods were tactful. His charm irresistible! Edward did not discriminate. Everyone was a potential target in his sparkling blue eyes. No one was safe! It was why the boys around town loved to follow his lead! Or, at least his band of brutes felt that way.
But as aforementioned; Edward Hansley Butterfield was without his posse. His fair face was hidden by the brim of a hat, nose tilted toward the cleaned and polished shoes he wore while his hands tucked themselves scrupulously into their designated pockets. He was dressed casually; not at all the suitable wear for an outing of any kind! A wardrobe that would certainly turn his mothers face sour, and would make him viable for a whipping from his father. His nanny might not have minded so much, but of course would have argued against it as not doing so would risk a whipping of her own! It was lucky for him that none of them were in sight, and that the building he had chosen to visit this particular afternoon was not at all the first they would check in search of him.
It was all part of the plan, of course.
The entrance he made was quiet, and upon removing his cap to scan the room his golden hair bounced and shook while his lips peeled into a grin. There seemed to be genuine interest in the boys face. It was convincing enough! Although, why a young child of 12 like himself would want to shop instead of play..
Abbacus
