"Maurice had a chance to earn a dime carrying a bundle for a gentleman from the cars. A little fellow came along, leading a poor, half-starved dog of which he seemed very fond. Just then a big bully of a boy met them, and began to tease the dog. When his owner timidly begged to be let alone, the bully flew at him, and then Maurice thought it time to interfere. He caught the bully by the hair, and would not let go till he was terribly bruised. A policeman came up and arrested both the boys, just as Maurice fainted from loss of blood. The gentleman had seen the whole fight from beginning to end, and he followed the bully to the court-room and gave his testimony, and called Maurice a hero."
"And a good fighter, too," added Maurice, who had stood by, listening to all with a kind of proud humility.
"I am glad you were not fighting to defend your own rights," said Marion, approvingly. "But who was the gentleman?"
"He gave his name as Lambert," said the nurse. "There is a very curious sequel to the story," she added, in a low tone, as they turned away.
"Mr. Lambert came here twice before Maurice was well enough to know him, and showed a good deal of anxiety till he was out of danger, growling to himself that he ought to have stopped the fight earlier. He gave the doctor some money for Maurice when he goes away; but the boy knows nothing of that yet. When Mr. Lambert saw Maurice he scolded him well; said a street fighter was a mean fellow and ought to be arrested, and hoped he should never hear of his street brawls again.
"His voice was so loud that some of the little ones began to cry, but Maurice spoke up rather saucily,—
"I'd fight for you, sir, to-morrow, if you was hit. I know you're jolly, for all your scolding.'"
"Well," said Marion, laughing heartily, "what did Mr. Lambert say to that?"
"Not a word that we could understand. He went away with his handkerchief to his face, but when he reached the street he shook all over with laughter."
"Shall I sing for the children now?"