He was looking straight at Amos while saying this, though apparently speaking to Wee Willie. Amos was as white as a sheet, and his limbs seemed to be trembling under him, for some reason or other. There was also a pleading look in his eyes that made Perk squirm, and feel that he was displaying unnecessary cruelty in holding back as he did.
“Please, oh! please take us to him right away, won’t you, Perk?”
“That’s just what I’m going to do, Amos,” he replied. “So come along, all of you, and meet my friend, the man who doesn’t expect to walk for a whole month, because it happens to be his only good foot that’s knocked out of business, since he’s lame in the other!”
Saying which, he started the excited boys on a bee-line through the woods.
CHAPTER XXIV
WHEN THE SUN BROKE THROUGH
“There!”
That was all Perk could say as he gripped Amos’s sleeve with a convulsive hand, and pointed beyond. His heart seemed to be up in his throat, threatening to choke him. But it was quite sufficient.
The man who had been reclining must have heard voices, for he was already struggling to a sitting posture. Amos took one look. The face was prematurely old, and just then wrinkled with physical pain; but the eyes of love may not be deceived long. With a sobbing cry Amos rushed forward.
“Father!” he cried in a choking voice, dropping beside the man, and throwing both arms about his neck.
The other boys stood stock still. Not one of them but who felt himself rendered dumb with the conflicting emotions that ran riot through brain and heart. They saw the tramp push Amos back to look hungrily into his eager face; and then despite the anguish it must have caused him through that swollen ankle he almost fiercely squeezed the other to him, while tears ran down his sunburned cheeks.