The good woman asked no questions concerning the parents of the child it was proposed she should keep, and her silence on this point may have been due to the fact that, even with her grandson's aid, it was difficult to understand all the boys said.
She was willing to take the princess for a week, but not longer, and decided that one dollar would repay her for the labour.
"Tell your grandmother we'll make the trade," Joe said, quickly, delighted because the sum named was so much less than he expected. "I'll be back here in two days at the longest, an' she's to take the very best care of the little thing."
"Granny would be kind even to a mouse," Master Weber replied, with an air of pride, and Joe added, promptly:
"I ought'er know as much by this time, an' if I didn't, the princess wouldn't be left with her. That poor little swell hasn't got anybody to look out for her but me, till we find her folks, an' I ain't takin' chances of her comin' to harm. Here's the dollar, an' you tell your granny I'll be back by the day after to-morrer if all the cops in New York are close after me."
The little German boy looked up in perplexity, for he failed to understand the greater portion of what Joe had said, and the latter was in too great a hurry to heed the fact.
A shrill whistle from the outside told that detective Dan was growing impatient, and Joe started towards the door, after seeing the old lady take the money; but halted an instant later.
"Is there something more you want granny to do?" the German boy asked, and Joe was at a loss for a reply.
"I was thinkin', perhaps,—if, course, it wouldn't make any difference to your granny,—say, I'm goin' to sneak in an' kiss the princess!"
The boy nodded carelessly, but Joe made no effort to carry his threat into execution.