Masie--Kling's only child--a slender, graceful little
creature with a wealth of gold-yellow hair flying
about her pretty shoulders and a pair of blue eyes in
which were mirrored the skies of ten joyous springs,
had given her heart to him at once. She had never forgotten
his gentle treatment of her dog Fudge, whose
attack that first morning Felix had understood so well,
lifting and putting the refractory animal back in her
arms instead of driving him off with a kick. Fudge,
whose manners were improving, had not forgotten
either and was always under O'Day's feet except when
being fondled by the child.

Until Felix came she had had no other companions,
some innate reserve keeping her from romping with the
children on the street, her sole diversion, except when
playing at home among her father's possessions or
making a visit to Kitty, being found in the books of
fairy-tales which the old hunchback, Tim Kelsey, had
lent her. At first this natural shyness had held her
aloof even from O'Day, content only to watch his face
as he answered her childish appeals. But before the
first week had passed she had slipped her hand into
his, and before the month was over her arms were
around his neck, her fresh, soft cheek against his own,
cuddling close as she poured out her heart in a continuous
flow of prattle and laughter, her father looking
on in blank amazement.

For, while Kling loved her as most fathers love their