Both the boys were as excited and delighted by the information as if it had been a scheme devised for their especial benefit.
They led the way to Chatham Square at a rapid pace, hurrying Farmer Shindle across the street amid the press of vehicles, until the poor man was almost certain he would never live to reach the desired spot, owing to the recklessness of his guides.
There was no difficulty in finding Sadie.
She was standing where Josiah first saw her, and this time he did not hesitate to approach.
“Say, wouldn’t you like to go out to Berry’s Corner an’ live with father, an’ mother, an’ me?” he cried eagerly, as he halted in front of her, while Tom and Bob pressed close behind to hear every word of the conversation. “I’m goin’ home to-night, an’ we’ll take you for a week, anyhow; then perhaps mother’ll let you stay a good while longer. It’s ever so much nicer out there than it is in the city.”
The child was bewildered by Josiah’s impetuous manner, as well as by the proposition so hastily made, and appeared wholly at a loss for an answer.
Then Tom, who fancied some recommendation from him might be necessary, described the Shindle farm, told of his visit of the previous year, and painted so eloquently in words a picture of the life at Berry’s Corner, that soon Sadie was as excited as any of the party.
At this point Mr. Shindle took part in the conversation.
The child had aroused his sympathies, and he now felt as eager to take her home as did Josiah.
“We haven’t got any little girl out to our house,” he said, holding the tiny hand in his hard palm, “an’ I know mother would take you right into her heart. She’s a bit close-fisted at times, ’cause we have to count every cent to make both ends meet; but in five minutes after you strike the house she’ll be as if you was her own. The good Book says there ain’t a sparrow falls without the Father’s notice, an’ He counts on our doin’ all we can to prevent the fallin’, so I reckon it’ll be layin’ up treasure for the hereafter to take you home.”