This did not appear to satisfy Dave.
"I'm a-goin' whether he says so or not," he burst forth. "I want to see the worl'. Don't nobody keer nothin' about me, an' I want to git out."
"Oh, yes! Why, I care about you," said Keith.
To his surprise, the boy began to whimper.
"Thankee. I'm obliged to you. I--want to go away--where Phrony ner nobody--ner anybody won't never see me no more--any more."
The truth dawned on Keith. Little Dave, too, had his troubles, his sorrows, his unrequited affections. Keith warmed to the boy.
"Phrony is a lot older than you," he said consolingly.
"No, she ain't; we are just of an age; and if she was I wouldn't keer. I'm goin' away."
Keith had to interpose his refusal to take him in such a case. He said, however, that if he could obtain his father's consent, as soon as he got settled he would send for him. On the basis of this compromise the boy went home.