The men laughed. The teacher placed one hand on the child's head. He rested his cheek against her hand, as he said softly, "Me mother."
"Your mother, eh?" Lord Kelwin looked amused. "I wish she'd mother the rest of us."
The child did not understand the laughter, and fancying himself ridiculed by Lord Kelwin, turned, ran and leaped like a squirrel to his shoulder, and struck him in the face.
"You little savage," the Irishman said, angrily, as he grasped the child and shook him.
"Let me settle with Wathemah," said Esther, firmly. She stepped forward, and took him by the arm, and held him. "Go on," she said to the men, "I will follow."
They sauntered on, leaving her with the refractory urchin. When she and the child finally overtook them, Wathemah's face was tear-stained.
Nothing more was said to the child until they reached the Clayton door.
"I guess you had better go back now, dear," Esther said, placing her hand on Wathemah's shoulder.
"No," he said stoutly, "Mrs. Clayton ask Wathemah he Miss Bright party."
"Oh, yes," she said, with sudden understanding, "you came to celebrate my birthday, didn't you?"