[The children might as well be wielding pitchforks and torches the way they surround Wilhelm. He's half sure that he didn't tower over them, they'd try to wrestle the doll from his grip.
When River ensnares their attention, pronouncing each one's name as carefully as an incantation, he's about three seconds away from bolting for his bike and shoving the doll into one of his bag's many pockets. Fortunately, her words have a calming effect on the children. After they share a series of glances with each other, one of the girls — Jessalyn? — nods solemnly. All right, she concedes with a pout.]
Follow me.
[Now Wilhelm does return to his bike, which he's left standing by the gate into the schoolyard. As he walks, he tries to keep the doll tucked out of the children's sight, so as to avoid setting them off again. He slips it deep into his bag, where only he'll be able to retrieve it.]
no subject
When River ensnares their attention, pronouncing each one's name as carefully as an incantation, he's about three seconds away from bolting for his bike and shoving the doll into one of his bag's many pockets. Fortunately, her words have a calming effect on the children. After they share a series of glances with each other, one of the girls — Jessalyn? — nods solemnly. All right, she concedes with a pout.]
Follow me.
[Now Wilhelm does return to his bike, which he's left standing by the gate into the schoolyard. As he walks, he tries to keep the doll tucked out of the children's sight, so as to avoid setting them off again. He slips it deep into his bag, where only he'll be able to retrieve it.]