"What makes you want him?" marvelled Elnora.

"God only knows," said Sinton. "Billy ain't so beautiful, and he ain't
so smart, I guess it's because he's so human. My heart goes out to him."

"So did mine," said Elnora. "I love him. I'd rather see him eat my lunch
than have it myself any time."

"What makes you like him?" asked Wesley.

"Why, I don't know," pondered Elnora. "He's so little, he needs so
much, he's got such splendid grit, and he's perfectly unselfish with his
brother and sister. But we must wash him before Aunt Margaret sees him.
I wonder if mother----"

"You needn't bother. I'm going to take him home the way he is," said
Sinton. "I want Maggie to see the worst of it."

"I'm afraid----" began Elnora.

"So am I," said Wesley, "but I won't give him up. He's taken a sort of
grip on my heart. I've always been crazy for a boy. Don't let him hear
us."

"Don't let him be killed!" cried Elnora. During their talk Billy had
wandered to the edge of the walk and barely escaped the wheels of a
passing automobile in an effort to catch a stray kitten that seemed in
danger.

Wesley drew Billy back to the walk, and held his hand closely. "Are you