He and Sammy hurried down to widow Martin’s, and got there, as I told you in the last chapter, just as she was about to sign away all right, title, and interest in two of the children whom God had given her; to sign them away at the command of the hard Mr. Lampeer, who was very much irritated that he should be interrupted just at the moment when he was about to carry the point; for he loved to carry a point better than to eat his breakfast.
CHAPTER IX.
THE ANGEL STAYS THE HAND.
When the boys came in, they told the widow that they wished to speak with little sick Harry. They talked to Harry awhile, without noticing what was going on in the other part of the room.
Presently Willie felt his arm pulled. Looking round, he saw Susie’s tearful face. “Please don’t let mother give me and George away.” Somehow all the children in school had the habit of coming to this long-headed Willie for help, and to him Susie came.
That word of Susie’s awakened Willie. Up to that moment he had not thought what Mr. Lampeer was there for. Now he saw Mrs. Martin holding the pen with trembling hand, and making motions in the air preparatory to writing her name. Most people not used to writing, write in the air before they touch the paper. When Willie saw this, he flew across the room and thrust his hand upon the place where the name ought to be, saying,—