"Come, Hunch, let's go ter the Block, mebbe Lizzī'll be there. 'Tain't nice up here without her, an' I ain't comin' no more, 'less she's along."
"Ain't yer tired, Benner?"
"Yes, I am, Hunch. Tireder then I've ever ben in my life."
"Git on my back an' I'll carry yer."
"I ain't tired in my legs, Hunch. I kin walk."
Taking Blind Benner's hand, Hunch led him down into the deepening shadow of the valley.
CHAPTER VII.
BILL KELLAR.
"He is coaxing again, that violin-loving devil."
New Year's Eve had come, and Bill Kellar sat before a log-fire in his sitting-room, glad that he had given his violin into Lizzī's charge the night of her birthday ball. Since then he had not seen it, though his fingers had often itched for the strings, and his arm longed for the bow.