"It'll take us right back to the home," she pleaded. "Be a good boy and come with Lovey. I'll buy you something nice."
Tommy remained obdurate. He believed in letting well enough alone. The joys of a street-car ride were present and tangible; "something nice" was vague, unsatisfying.
"Don't yer little brother want to git off?" asked the conductor, sympathetically.
"No, sir," said Lovey Mary, trying to maintain her dignity while she struggled with her charge. "If you please, sir, would you mind holding his feet while I loosen his hands?"
Tommy, shrieking indignant protests, was borne from the car and deposited on the sidewalk.
"Don't you dare get limber!" threatened Lovey Mary. "If you do I'll spank you right here on the street. Stand up! Straighten out your legs! Tommy! do you hear me?"
Tommy might have remained limp indefinitely had not a hurdy-gurdy opportunely arrived on the scene. It is true that he would go only in the direction of the music, but Lovey Mary was delighted to have him go at all. When at last they were headed for the avenue, Tommy caused another delay.
"I want my ducky," he announced.
The words brought consternation to Lovey Mary. She had fearfully anticipated them from the moment of leaving the home.
"I'll buy you a 'tend-like duck," she said.