THE DEACON STOOPED DOWN AND ENCLOSED LITTLE BILLY IN HIS ARMS.
Mr. Nocker was heard to give utterance to an exclamation of exultation as he caught sight of the lad. He even hurried forward a few paces in order to meet him.
When the two who were in hiding saw the deacon stoop down and actually enclose little Billy in his arms, straining him to his heart, they were thrilled. Nobody in all Cliffwood had ever before known the cold old deacon to exhibit the least bit of tenderness toward any child.
“What kept you so long, Billy boy?” demanded the deacon, reproachfully. “Why, do you know I have been waiting here almost half an hour? I began to think my little playmate had been taken sick again.”
“Mamma kept me in,” said the little fellow in his clear voice that easily reached the strained ears of the two in the bushes. “But I teased and teased and then when she saw it she just said she guessed she’d have to let me come out.”
The deacon looked at him in a puzzled fashion; but evidently he was so well satisfied to have Billy with him, even for a brief time, that he did not think it worth while to ask questions.
Of course, the two listening boys knew what the child meant, since it was Dick’s waving handkerchief that the young widow had seen.
“Mamma told me I could only stay five minutes over here,” continued Billy, who seemed to be an unusually bright little fellow, able to express his thoughts in a sensible manner.
“Oh! naughty mamma, to cut your visit short like that,” complained the deacon. “She must know I enjoy every minute of it so, and she has you the whole of the day and night. But come and sit down with me here while you do stay, Billy.”