"Give him here. He wants to come to me," and she allowed him to take the child from her arms. As he felt himself lifted in that strong grasp, Little Brother smiled again, and nestled with a long breath of content against Tode's dirty jacket.
"See--he likes me!" cried the boy, his face all aglow with the strange, sweet delight that possessed him. He sat still holding the child, afraid to move lest he disturb his charge, but in a few minutes the baby began to fret.
"What's he want?" questioned Tode, anxiously.
Nan looked distressed. "I'm afraid he's hungry," she replied. "Oh dear, what shall I do!"
She seemed ready to cry herself, but Tode sprang up.
"You come along," he exclaimed, briefly, and he started off with the child still in his arms, and Nan followed wonderingly. She shrank back as he pushed open the door of a restaurant, but Tode went in and after a moment's hesitation, she followed.
"What'll he take--some beef?" inquired the boy.
"Oh no!" cried Nan, hastily, "some bread and milk will be best for him."
"All right. Here you--bring us a quart o' milk an' a loaf o' bread," called Tode, sharply, to a waiter.
When these were brought he added, "Now fetch on a steak an' a oyster stew."