“A little, sir.”
“Get yourself a suit of overalls; black like these. You’ll need ’em likely. Now I got to do something with this kid.” Jim turned and observed his offspring frowningly. Terry had at last stopped sobbing and was watching interestedly through the front window the operation of unloading a car. “How he came to be wandering about here I dunno. And maybe his mother’s worrying about him this minute. He ought to be home, but I don’t see how I can get him there.”
“Let me take him home,” offered Wayne eagerly. “Just tell me where the house is, Mr. Mason.”
The man’s face lightened. “Will you do it?” he exclaimed. “That’s fine, then. Will you go with the nice gentleman, Terry?”
Terry looked doubtful, but when Wayne smiled down at him he nodded shyly and summoned a smile in return.
“I live on Monmouth Street,” said Jim. “’Tis the fourth house from the corner of Railroad Avenue, the one with the sun-parlor on it.” There was pride in his voice when he mentioned the sun-parlor and Wayne was quite certain that it was the only sun-parlor on Monmouth Street. “Ask for Mrs. Mason and just tell her the kid was down to see me and I sent him home by you. Don’t tell her about what happened, lad. She’d be tied up in a knot. I’ll give her the story when I get home. Maybe you’d better go around to the back, for I dunno would she hear you knock, being busy in the kitchen likely. Do you want the nice gentleman to carry you, Terry, or will you walk along like a little man, eh?”
“Want to be carried,” said Terry promptly. “I’m tired, daddy.”
“’Tis a blessing you ain’t worse than tired, kiddie,” said his father feelingly. “How came it you were down here all alone, Terry?”
Terry studied his shoes intently for a moment. At last: “Wanted to see choo-choos,” he answered.