"Phew! Open the window, Biddy."

The small creature opened what there was of window.

"Now, go down and heat two bricks and wrap them in something, and bring
them up."

Tryst's boots and socks removed, Tod rubbed the large, warped feet.
While doing this he whistled, and the little boy crept up-stairs and
squatted in the doorway, to watch and listen. The morning air overcame
with its sweetness the natural odor of that small room, and a bird or
two went flirting past. The small creature came back with the bricks,
wrapped in petticoats of her own, and, placing them against the soles
of her father's feet, she stood gazing at Tod, for all the world like a
little mother dog with puppies.

"You can't go to school to-day, Biddy."

"Is Susie and Billy to go?"

"Yes; there's nothing to be frightened of now. He'll be nearly all right
by evening. But some one shall stay with you."

At this moment Tryst lifted his hand, and the small creature went and
stood beside him, listening to the whispering that emerged from his
thick lips.

"Father says I'm to thank you, please."

"Yes. Have you had your breakfasts?"