The boy drew a long breath. "I won't let her know 't I care much 'bout their goin'," he said, bravely.
"Nan will guess quite enough," answered the gentleman, "but, Theodore, how would you like to come here? Mrs. Rawson has a little room over the L that she seldom uses, and she says that you can sleep there if you like, and pay for it the same that you pay for the dark room that you now have."
The boy's eyes were full of surprise and pleasure as he answered, gratefully, "I'd like that fine!"
"Come on, then, and we'll take a look at the place. It has been used as a storeroom and will, of course, need some fixing up."
As Mr. Scott threw open the door of the L room Theodore stepped in and looked about him with shining eyes. It was a long, low room with windows on three sides. The floor was covered with matting and the walls with a light, cheerful paper.
"This for me!" exclaimed the boy. "Why, Mr. Scott, it's--it's too fine for a chap like me."
"Not a bit, my boy, but I think you can be very comfortable here, and you will know that you have friends close at hand. And now, Theodore, I suppose you will want to get home, for we hope to get Nan away next week."
"So soon!" cried the boy, a shadow falling on the face, a moment before so bright.
"Yes, the sooner the better for the little one's sake," replied Mr. Scott, gravely.
"You've been mighty good to me--an' to Nan," said the boy, simply, and then he went away.