‘Faithful little friend!’ returns he gaily. ‘No, Susan, I don’t think I’ll go in now; but tell Miss Barry from me that I shall come down to-morrow to see her and my little charge. By-the-by, I have kept my promise to you about loving him. It was easy work; I don’t wonder now at your love for him. I assure you I feel downright lonely at the thought of leaving him behind me.’
He presses her hand lightly, and goes towards Bonnie.
‘Well, good-bye, old man,’ says he, catching the child and drawing him towards him.
‘Oh no. Oh, you won’t go!’ says Bonnie anxiously.
‘For the present I must. And mind you go to bed early and sleep well, or there will be a regular row on when next we meet.’
‘You will come this evening?’ says the child, hardly listening to him.
‘No;’ he shakes his head.
‘To-morrow, then?’ entreats the child, clinging to him.
‘To-morrow, yes.’ He whispers something in his ear, and the boy, flinging his arm round his neck, kisses him warmly. Crosby smiles at Susan. ‘See what chums we are,’ says he.