"I hope he won't forget the number," she said to herself, "he didn't take it down. And I never thought to give him my name!"
Doodles easily found the place the woman had designated. The house was small and dingy, and two grimy babies were playing on the doorstep.
"Miss Lily's upstairs, in back," answered the girl to whom the inquiry had been referred. "I guess it's her you want. Ther' ain't nobody else, 'cept Miss Goby, an' she's a big un."
The top of the dim flight was nearly reached when a door opened and threw a stream of light on the stairway. The boy saw his new friend waiting for him.
"Walk right in!" she said cordially. "It's awfully good of you to come!"
The room was in noticeable contrast with the rest of the house. Here everything was neat and homelike, although there was little attempt at ornament. Doodles was soon seated in a cushioned rocker and listening to the little old lady's grateful talk.
"When you spoke of that new song, 'God shall wipe away all tears,' it did seem as if I just couldn't miss hearing you sing it! But I never dreamed that you could do such a thing as to come and sing it to me here. I wish I had a better place for you to sing in, but I've had to take up with 'most anything these days."
The lad hastened to assure her that he was accustomed to sing in a small room, and that it made no difference to him where he was.
"Then you don't mind not having an organ or piano or anything?"
The tone was anxious.
"Not a bit," he smiled. "I never used to have accompaniment—I can sing anywhere."