She rose suddenly, but with some effort, for the child was stout and heavy for his years.
"What are you going to do?" he asked, looking admiringly upon Bobbie.
"I'm going to carry him home."
"How cruel to Bobbie!" he said, stepping near her and extending his arms for the child. "Let me carry him, do."
"I can carry him myself, thank you," she said, with a sudden air of independence.
Again she saw his look of amusement, and struggled with her heavy load, knowing full well that she could not carry him far.
"No, you must not carry him," he said firmly. "He is too heavy for you." And without more ado, he took Bobbie from her arms.
"Come," he said amicably, "we'll both take him home—to Mrs. Carmichael's."
So on they trudged. Bobbie roused a moment, but seeing a familiar face, he reached up his grimy hand and patted the bronzed cheeks, then cuddled comfortably into the strong arms.
"So Bobbie wanted to stay with you," he was saying.