"I ain't troublin' of her, am I?" and Mr. Chick crossed one leg over the other as he gazed at the scene.
"No; but Aunt Nancy said you were to go away now," Jack persisted, and then, seeing that the gentleman evinced no disposition to leave, he joined the little woman in the house.
Supper was ready and on the table before Mrs. Littlefield could relinquish the baby long enough to ask Jack for the particulars of his adventures.
Then when she came to the door Aunt Nancy said, as her ringlets, sharing the feelings of the wearer, shook with suppressed excitement,—
"I hope you will have something to eat. You must be hungry by this time, and Louis shall sit with me while you are at the table."
As she spoke the little woman held out her hands invitingly to the baby, and he showed every desire to go to her.
"It can be plainly seen that my darling has had a good home," Mrs. Littlefield replied as she kissed him again and again.
"He has been loved perhaps better than in a house where there were other children; but almost any one would have given him the same treatment."
"I am afraid not; both he and Jack have been very fortunate. Now I will take a cup of tea, but had rather hold him myself."
Aunt Nancy beckoned for Jack to be seated although it was not more than two hours since he had eaten supper, and when the little woman's head was bowed in devotion she fervently thanked her Father for his wondrous goodness and mercy in allowing the mother and child to meet again in this world.