“Why didn’t you call upon me? I wouldn’t have seen you suffer.”
“I didn’t like to ask. I thought you would consider me a beggar.”
“You will understand me better after a while. Now put on your hat and come out with me.”
Edward did so, but he was so weak from long fasting that he was obliged to lean upon Chester in walking to the restaurant, which was luckily near by.
“Let me advise you to take some soup first,” said Chester. “Your stomach is weak, and that will prepare it for heartier food.”
“I don’t feel hungry,” returned Edward. “I only feel faint.”
“It may be well not to eat very much at first.”
“How kind you are! I must be two or three years older than you, yet you care for and advise me.”
“Consider me your uncle,” said Chester, brightly. “Now tell me how it happens that you didn’t apply to some friend or relative.”
A shadow passed over the boy’s face.