"It's twenty to four," she answered, rising. "I'll go at once. Come, Stray!"
The dog followed her from the room. A few minutes later Bob heard him scamper down the stairs, barking excitedly, and his mistress trying to quieten him.
"They'll be in time," the boy said to himself; "what Jackie and I'd do without Mrs. Winter now I really don't know!"
[CHAPTER VIII]
GREAT NEWS
JACKIE was delighted on coming out of school to find Mrs. Winter and Stray waiting for him; and when the old woman spoke of a walk, and asked him to go with her, his blue eyes shone with pleasure.
"Oh, yes, please, do let me!" he answered quickly. Then the blue eyes clouded suddenly; and he said with a sigh, "No, thank you, Mrs. Winter."
"Why not, my dear?" she inquired in surprise.
"Because I promised Bob I'd go straight home," he replied.
"Oh, yes! I had forgotten! But Bob knows I'm here to meet you, and he wishes you to come with me; so it's all right."