“In course he will, Miss Hester,” cried Rufus, and then opened his mouth for a roar of laughter, that made even the feverish Johnny crow.
“Rufus never gets tired of minding Johnny,” said the widow, proudly. “But he does miss his Uncle Bill.”
Rufe’s face clouded over. “He ain’t never home no more,” he said, complainingly.
“But you can go over to see him at the gymnasium,” said Hester.
“Not no more he can’t, Miss,” said the widow. “Rufus used to go over to see Uncle Bill evenings; but Uncle Bill can’t have him there no more.”
“Why not?” asked Hester, quickly; and yet she flushed and turned her own gaze away and looked out of the window.
“Bill’s had some trouble there. He’s afraid the Board of Education would object. Somebody got into the building——”
“I heard about it,” said Hester, quickly.
“Wisht Uncle Bill had another job,” grumbled Rufus.
“Rufie’s real bright about some things,” whispered his mother. “And sharp ain’t no name for it! He is pretty cute. You can’t say much before him that he don’t remember, and repeat.”