Avon Fantasy Reader No. 14 — page 57: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

and for the sake of his immediate pocketbook it would never do to alienate Ronald to the degree where the Frosts, despite their obvious liking for him, would have to look for somebody else. Obviously, his campaign to win back Ronald’s tolerance would have to be centered around the soldiers. On his day off in town Wilburts paid a visit to the toy department of a large department store where, after not a little thought, he discovered a set of khaki-clad troops, each with a sub-machine gun, and led by a nattily dressed officer with holstered revolver. Three dollars. On his way out to the suburbs, Wilburts took the set from its wrappings and eyed the soldiers with satisfaction. Three dollars meant a good deal to Jeffry Wilburts, but after all, he philosophized, you have to spend money in this world if you’re going to get ahead. He looked closely at the soldiers and marveled casually at the care with which they were made, the uniforms and guns so precisely duplicating the real thing. The same deadpan faces, though. A faint spot of color on the cheeks and then a lifeless putty white-lead face. Jeffry picked up the officer and scrutinized him closely. He grinned at the expressionless tiny face and then suddenly realized that the passenger sitting opposite was eyeing him amusedly. He put his package away carefully and settled back in the day coach with a copy of “Approach to Education.” Jeffry Wilburts’ scheme worked. “For me?” said Ronald with brightening interest as Jeffry took the cover off the box, revealing the contents. “Golly,” and the youngster made a grab at the precious package. The lad took the soldiers out one by one, examining them closely. His face was bright and the look he turned on Wilburts was worth three dollars and more. “Oh, thank you, thank you so much, Mr. Wilburts. I need them so,” and Ronald ran off toward his room. It seemed that Jeffry had scored with his ward . . . but not with the Frosts. “Now what the dickens did you go and do that for?” said Mr. Frost in an annoyed voice. Wilburts realized that some explaining was in order. It wouldn’t do to win back the boy at the cost of the parents’ regard. “I'm trying to work this problem out, Mr. Frost. This is my line of work and you've got to let me handle it in my own way. I don’t want the boy to think I’m against him.” Mrs. Frost took Jeffry’s side. “I think he’s right, dear. If Mr. Wilburts can get Ronald’s confidence he'll be able to do more with him.” Mr. Frost harrumphed. “I think the best thing to do would be to take all _ those damn soldiers and chuck ’em out.” He went back to his paper with an angry rustle. “You know what Dr. Brown said, dear,” Mrs. Frost reminded. “The child is emotional.” Days passed and with the gift Ronald and Jeffry Wilburts came somewhat closer. Whatever his peculiarities, litte Frost was a clever lad and Wilburts 55 comiclooks.com