“Yes. Yes. Certainly. What? Not know it? Why else should I come? Hm-m. Queer. Starts in few days. Operation—maybe cure—”
But he did not finish his sentence; for the child had suddenly darted away from him, and to the side of the “tobacconist’s sign,” who was crossing the court at that moment. “Sutro! O my Sutro! My father is blind—and—going—away!”
“It is false!” cried the old Spaniard, with his ready and angry defiance of all things unpleasant.
“No, no—it is true! ’Cause the cor’net man said so!” And clinging to her ancient playfellow, Steenie buried her face in his blanket, and sobbed bitterly.
CHAPTER II.
KENTUCKY BOB.
There, she’s found it out! And it’s a deal worse than if her papa had told her first off!” said Suzan´, at the kitchen door. “I never saw Miss Steenie cry about anything before, and I wish now that I’d a broke it to her myself.”
“My, my! the poor lamb!” echoed Ellen, the cook, joining the housemaid. “No, she haint never been one fer cryin’,—not even fer bumps er scratches. Sunshiny’s what she’s been, an’ so I say. Does seem’s if I couldn’t stay to cook fer no new manager’s folks after that sweet angel. Good mind ter give notice myself.”
“Oh, wait! Maybe it won’t be so bad as we think. Master don’t look blind.”