Titus was a reserved boy, but just now his slim young figure, pressed close to the chair in which the Judge sat, was brimful of eloquence.
The Judge’s lip quivered. “Titus,” he said, slowly, “I shall never love another boy as I love you, and, to tell the truth, I half wish now that I had not made that vow; but I was in dire trouble, and the Lord delivered me out of it. Should I not show gratitude?”
“Y-y-yes, sir,” said Titus, hastily. “We’ve had a hard time. I had thoughts too, sir, when I was lying in bed so long. I’ve deceived you in lots of things. I’m going to be more straight—I-I-I guess it’s all right to take a kid. W-w-we’ll bring him to be just like you and me,” and with a grin he rubbed his black head against his grandfather’s white one, and then scampered away to bed.
Now the princess was happy. With a great sigh of relief the Judge settled himself back in his chair, pulled the reading light toward him, and took up a book.
Sukey flew to his side, and when he became too much absorbed in his reading to rub her white head she leaned over and gently pecked his hand.
Young Titus’s illness had extended over a long and cold autumn and into the first part of December. By Christmas time he was dashing about in his old way, though he still had a slight limp. Only time would cure that, the doctors said.
The limp did not keep him off his feet. From morning till night he was rushing about somewhere, and when the Christmas holidays came he was simply omnipresent.
According to a long-established custom, he and his grandfather went downtown every Christmas Eve to see the shops and the people. They started early on this Christmas Eve—just as soon as they had had their dinner—and they both would have been very much surprised if anyone had told them that during this evening a chance would come for the fulfillment of the Judge’s vow.
Ever since he had mentioned the matter to Titus the Judge had been quietly looking about for a boy. He had visited several orphan asylums, and he had written to friends, but though the orphans were plentiful he was fastidious, and so far some defect had been found in every one proposed to him.
“This is a joyful season, sir,” said young Titus, as he endeavored to stride along in a manly fashion beside his grandfather.