while his Fav-ver said to him:--

"What fun, David; what fun you must have had in running away!"

"Oh," the little boy replied, "I didn't go far. I got scart and
hurried back to Mother."

The Doctor looked wryly at his guest. He knew David had not gone
home after running away.

"Did you see Mother after you went back?" he asked.

"No, I didn't see her."

"But you are sure you went back?"

"It didn't _feel_ back," said David.

"You couldn't have been mistaken about going back?"

"No."

"In what part of town were you when I found you on the
fence-post?"

"Home," said David.

"Why were you crying?"

"I was feeling bad."