"Why, missy," his face lighted up in greeting. Beth wondered how she ever thought him ugly-looking. "You saw my puppy, didn't you? I tell you he's a fine fellow. Duke never compared with him."
"Do you really like the puppy the best?" cried Beth, eagerly rushing up to him in her excitement.
"Not a doubt of it." He smiled at her evident delight. "Gift——"
"Is that what you call him?"
"Yes. The name is to remind me of your kindness. I——"
"Was I really kind?" she interrupted wistfully. She did not wait for an answer. "Then perhaps you'd be willing to do me a very, very great favor."
"What is it you want? But you'd better sit down first. You look tired."
"I am a little tired. It was pretty hot walking."
"You don't mean you walked here?—and on such a hot day?"
When he found that she had, he seated her in the shade on the cool piazza, and would not listen to another word until he went into the house and returned with a bottle of orangeade for her.