“Yes?”
“You know my pop—well, he went away. So I went. But he was n't there. He said he'd send word to me when he was somewhere else—he said he'd send it here to Aunt Susan's house. But he did n't, did he?”
“No; I'm quite sure he has not.”
“Well, I guess he don't want me, anyhow,” said Lem. “I guess that's what's the matter. Only—”
“Yes, Lem?”
“If he does send word you'll let me know, won't you? Because I'll be down to Shuder's. You will, won't you? Only don't let that old thief aunt know where I am, will you? Because she'd jail me, darn her! She'd do that in a minute.”
“Lem,” said Henrietta, “would you like to be my boy?”
“Sure! I'd like it if I was. Only I ain't.”
“But if I could have you? You would like to be my boy, would n't you? And live with me? Not in this house; some other house.”
“What you going to do; buy me off of Aunt Susan?”