Demon pox, oh demon pox<br />Just how is it acquired?<br />One must go down to the bad part of town<br />Until one is very tired.<br />Demon pox, oh demon pox, I had it all along—<br />Not the pox, you foolish blocks,<br />I mean this very song—<br />For I was right, and you were wrong!"<br /><br />"Will!" Charlotte shouted over the noise, "Have you LOST YOUR MIND? CEASE THAT INFERNAL RACKET! Jem—" <br />Jem, rising to his feet, clapped his hands over Will's mouth. "Do you promise to be quiet?" he hissed into his friend's ear.<br />Will nodded, blue eyes blazing. Tessa was staring at him in amazement; they all were. She had seen Will many things—amused, bitter, condescending, angry, pitying—but never giddy before.<br />Jem let him go. "All right, then."<br />Will slid to the floor, his back against the armchair, and threw up his arms. "A demon pox on all your houses!" he announced, and yawned.<br />"Oh, God, weeks of pox jokes," said Jem. "We're in for it now.