“Watch, Dick, for it’s coming now!” said Leslie, in his chum’s ear, as he saw old Mr. Nocker pushing forward, as though determined to assert his rights as the nearest neighbor.
“Pardon me, madam,” they heard the deacon say, as softly as he could tone down his usually harsh voice. “Are you Billy’s mother?”
Tilly did not need to be told who the old man with the stern face was. Doubtless she had watched him in secret many times when he was sitting there on that bench chatting with her child, and perhaps felt her heart fail her as she contemplated the severe expression on his countenance.
Still, Dick noticed with secret admiration that she did not quail when the supreme test came, but stood her ground bravely. It might be that Tilly felt she was doubly armed now, knowing what a firm hold Billy had taken on the affections of his grandfather.
“Yes, sir, I am Billy’s mother,” she said, simply.
“And I am your next door neighbor, Deacon Nocker,” the old man went on to say, eagerly. “You must know that your dear little boy and I have become great chums of late. I love him with all my heart, madam, I assure you; and it was my intention to call upon his mother very shortly. See, he recognizes me now. Billy, tell your mother we are the best of friends, won’t you?”
Billy held out a hand toward him, which Mr. Nocker instantly pounced upon and gripped. Dick experienced a queer sensation when he saw the deacon actually bend his head and press several eager kisses on that little member.
“Shucks! it’s nearly too soft a snap!” Leslie was muttering in the ear of his chum. “Why, he’d get down on his knees to beg her to come to him, Dick.”
“Shut up, can’t you?” hissed the other, not daring to remove his gaze from the exciting little tableau for even a single second. “Watch and see what happens next. There’s many a slip, you know, when you think everything dead sure!”
“Huh! I guess he’s landed, all right,” chuckled Leslie. “Look at him fairly ready to eat the little chap, will you?”