Dallas went away, and Titus was informed by his grandfather of what had occurred.
“I want you to entertain him for a few days,” the Judge said.
“Very well, sir,” replied the boy, submissively, but there was no pleasure on his face, nor graciousness in his manner.
“Don’t you like this boy?” asked the Judge.
“I don’t know him,” said Titus, gruffly.
The Judge pondered. Titus was not stuttering; he was disturbed in some way.
“He speaks peculiarly,” remarked the Judge, “at least to our ears. We do not hear very much that broad sound of the ‘a’ here.”
Titus maintained a grim silence.
“Suppose you were alone in the world?” suggested the Judge, softly.
“I’ll take care of him, sir,” said Titus, almost roughly, and he hurried away.