At first Leroy was talkative and cheerful, and found great satisfaction in splashing in puddles, but as time went on he grew silent, and tramped through the puddles more as a matter of principle than through enjoyment.
“What was the name of the street?” asked Anderson.
“Well, I don’t know,” the boy answered, “but I guess I’d know it if I saw it. Somewheres around here, it was. Might be around the next corner.”
They went round the corner, and there was a candy store.
“That’s it!” Leroy announced. “It’s open, too.”
Mr. Anderson said nothing, but walked steadily forward, and Leroy trotted by his side.
“They sure did have good lollypops in there,” observed Leroy. “Best I ever tasted.”
Still no response from the adult, possessor of all power and wealth. Leroy sighed. And Anderson turned to look at him, and discovered a wet and not very clean face upturned to his, with brown eyes very like Sandy’s. Poor little kid, tramping along so bravely in his oilskins! He looked tired, too.
“All right!” said Anderson. “We’d better go back and get a few lollypops.”
After that Leroy went on, much encouraged in spirit.