"Well, Robbie, what's your handsome little friend's name?"
"John Doyle, Papa."
"Your father lives on the farm just outside our gate, doesn't he?"
"Yessir," the boy answered eagerly.
His embarrassment had gone. But it was hard to begin his story. It had seemed easy at first, the need was so great. Now it seemed that he had no right to make the request he had in his heart.
He hung his head and dug his big toe in the gravel.
Robbie hastened to his rescue.
"John wants to tell you something, Papa," he began tenderly.
"All right," Lee cheerfully answered as he drew one boy within each arm and hugged them both. "What can I do for you, Johnnie?"
"I dunno, sir. I hope you can do somethin'."