"I think I can find thee a real cosy little place," he said; "shan't I carry the baby for thee?"
She hesitated, and looked up into his solemn, kindly face. Then she held the precious bundle toward him.
"I guess I'll have to let you. I didn't really know it till I got here, but I begin to feel, oh! so awful tired," she said, with a long, sighing breath, as Enoch folded his gaunt arms about the baby.
They went up the street together, and Enoch unlocked Jerry's house and showed the stranger in. She walked straight across the room to the cradle. When she turned around her eyes were swimming.
"Oh, I think it's just lovely here," she said; "I feel better already. This is such a nice little house, and so many wild flowers everywhere, and they smell so sweet—I know Baby will like it."
She relieved Enoch of his burden and laid it on the bed.
The old man lingered a little.
"Thee needn't worry about provisions or anything," he said hesitatingly; "some of the neighbors will come in and help thee get started. Thee'll want to rest now. I guess I'll be going."
"Oh, you mustn't go without seeing Baby!" insisted the young mother, beginning to unswathe the shapeless bundle on the bed.
Enoch moved nearer, and waited until the tiny crumpled bud of a face appeared among the wrappings.