Theresa had already taken her mother a plate for Sunny, and now she gave her brother his supper. The stew was hot and really delicious, and Sunny Boy was sure he had never tasted anything so good. Mrs. Harrity held the plate for him and patted him now and then as he ate. The Harrity children edged nearer and nearer, till a frown from their mother drove them back.
"Going now," announced Tim, seizing his cap.
He slammed the door with such force that the plates on the table rattled, but no one seemed to mind it. They could hear him cheerfully whistling as he clattered downstairs.
Theresa put some water on to heat for the dishes, and came over near her mother and Sunny Boy. She took the little girl on her lap.
"Timmie will help you all right," she assured Sunny Boy, nodding and smiling at him encouragingly. "Tim's a great lad for seeing things through. How did he come to find you?"
Sunny Boy explained.
"Well, well," said Mrs. Harrity. "If you're not used to it, the subway's built for confusin' ye. But Marty there, he's seven next birthday, he can get about as well as the next one."
Marty grinned and wriggled uneasily.
"I'm five," said Sunny Boy conversationally.
"Five now, well, well," repeated Mrs. Harrity. "Rose over there is five. Jim's eight and Thomas, he that's licking the gravy spoon, is nine. An' a fine, noisy bunch they do be. The kettle is boilin', Theresa."