CHAPTER III.
AN ADVERTISEMENT.
Having placed the packages on the straw near about his friend, in what he believed to be a most tempting display, Master Plummer seemed to consider that his duties as host had been performed properly, and gave himself wholly up to the pleasures of eating.
With one of the tomato cans between his knees, he gave undivided attention to the savoury stew, until, the first pangs of hunger having been appeased, he noted, as if in surprise, that Joe was not joining in the feast.
"Why ain't you eatin' somethin'?" he asked, speaking indistinctly because of the fullness of his mouth.
"I don't see how it can be done while the princess is asleep."
"Put her down on the blanket, where she belongs. You don't count on holdin' her all night, I hope?"
"It looks like I'd have to. Jest the minute I stir she begins to fuss 'round, an'—"
"Well, let her fuss. Old Mis' Carter says kids wouldn't be healthy if they didn't kick up a row every once in awhile."
"I guess she won't be sick any to speak of, if we keep her quiet till mornin'. The trouble is, Plums, there's bound to be an awful row jest as soon as she wakes up an' finds out where she is. I s'pose she's been tended like she was a piece of glass, an' the shanty must look pretty hard to her. You can tell by the way she acts that the princess has always had a reg'lar snap, an' I wouldn't be s'prised if this was the meanest place she was ever in."