Phin launched himself over the back of the seat and pinned the boy. Tick followed suit, shouting, “Stop your laughing, you skunk. I’ll beat you to a powder.” Even as Sam hauled both boys off the offender, he marveled at their swift change from foes to allies. Evidently they could beat on each other all they wanted, but nobody from outside was allowed to without consequences. “Ha, now you’ve got a split lip, dog face!” Tick took one last weak swing, his face pasty white and his little ribcage working like a bellows. A bluish tinge colored his lips. The conductor’s genial expression fused into a hard mask. “Miss, we cannot allow this kind of behavior on the train. You’ll have to control the boys, or they will have to be put off at the next stop.” He darted a glance at the little girl who had tugged her scarf over her face once more and whose eyes now brimmed with tears. Eldora put her arm around the child and drew her into her side. “Sir, please, I am sorry. I’ll make them behave.
