Mrs. Blodgett smiled. She took to herself the credit of the acquisition of so many handsome birds. Everything had to give way to the pigeons, and, feeling in one of the pockets of her big apron for her bunch of keys, she said, “You can follow me, dear lad, in five minutes to the wee clock room. I guess that will do, won’t it?”
“Yes, if it’s large enough,” said Titus, doubtfully.
“It’s big enough for a night or two,” she said, easily, and she proceeded on her way upstairs.
Near the front hall door she met Higby.
“Say,” he whispered, seizing her by the sleeve, “say, I believe the Judge has ad-d-dopted another boy.”
Mrs. Blodgett could not speak. She stared at him silently for a few instants, then with a strange weakness at her knees began ascending the stairs.
Titus went back to the dining room. The new boy had eaten his crackers and drunk the wine, but he had the plate of meat in his hand.
“I think I will take this upstairs,” he said, pleasantly.
“All right,” said Titus, and he slowly led the way to the hall.
Everything was gone that belonged to the boy—leather bag, coat, and wooden box.