“You’ll have a nice place again when you are adopted,” Penny assured her kindly.
“I’d like to stay here,” Adelle said, looking thoughtfully at the old man. “Would your wife let me?”
“Why, bless you, I haven’t a wife,” he answered in embarrassment. “I’m a bachelor.”
“Wouldn’t you like a little girl?” Adelle persisted. “I could do your dishes for you and sweep the floor. I’d be real good.”
“Well, now I’ve often thought I would like a nice little girl,” he replied, smiling.
“Then you can have me!” Adelle cried, jumping up from her chair. “You can tell the Home I won’t be back!”
“Not so fast, not so fast,” Mr. McGuire said hastily. “I’d like a little girl, but I am afraid I can’t afford one. You see, I don’t make much money any more and there are other reasons—”
“Oh, I won’t eat much,” Adelle promised. “Please keep me, Mr. McGuire.”
The old man was so distressed that Penny tried to come to his rescue. However, despite repeated explanations, Adelle refused to understand why she could not immediately become Mr. McGuire’s little girl.
“If I had my old job back, I’d be tempted, sorely tempted,” the old man said to Penny. “I’ve always wanted someone that was near and dear to me.” He drew a deep sigh. “As things are, I don’t see how it could be worked out.”