The boy was there beside them almost instantly, and Dr. Hale with Cara had also come up to the tent.
“He’s my cousin Ben,” began Nicky. But his mother interrupted him.
“He is our cousin Benato,” she said, “and he is an artist. You see, he was sick.” She too spoke English carefully, and now as she stood beside the young man in the artist’s costume it was easy to decide that he was her relation, for they looked much alike.
“Sit down, sit down,” begged the polite old grandmother. She was not going to have her boxes empty when company came like that.
“And have you been ill, young man?” Dr. Hale asked, filling in a rather embarrassed pause.
“Yes, Sir,” replied Benato. “And I had to hide away. They told me I should be sent back to Europe if I did not get cured in six months,” the artist said. “I could not get well by the railroad, but I am better since I came here. Would you tell me, Sir?” he asked, indicating he wanted to know from Dr. Hale just what his condition actually was.
It was a relief to both Babs and Cara when Benato and Dr. Hale entered the tent and left them to talk with Nicky.
“The ship model——” began Babs.
“He can make anything,” the boy interrupted proudly, “and when I told him about the other, Miss Davis’ you know” (he stumbled over that), “he got out his books and copied one. He is making it for you,” Nicky told Barbara, just a little shyly.
“For me?” exclaimed Barbara, in surprise.