“I shall be glad to do so,” said the superintendent. “I will ask you to leave him with us till to-morrow, however,{54} as applications will not generally be accepted till then.”
“I have no objection to that. Now let me tell you what arrangements we have made for your reception. How many children have you in your company?”
“Fifty-two.”
“It is as I supposed. There are more than can be lodged at our hotel, which is small. They could receive but twenty there, and the remainder can be accommodated in a hall we have in the village.”
“I should prefer that they would not be separated. I would rather have them all under my own eye for to-night,” said the superintendent.
“Very well; then perhaps it will be best for all to be accommodated in the hall. There are two halls, in fact; and bedding can be placed on the floor. It won’t be quite so comfortable as it would be at the hotel.”
“Our boys are used to roughing it,” said Mr. O’Connor. “Many a night in the city they have slept out in old wagons or alleyways. It won’t hurt them to sleep on the floor.”
“The hall is about half a mile distant. I will lead the way, and you may get settled at once.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Tim Shanter, see that the boys walk in line,” said the superintendent. “I appoint you captain, Mr. Taylor, and I will go on ahead, and you will follow us.”{55}