"Yes, an' it's cause he hain't got no father or mother, nor no Uncle Dan'l like I've got," said Toby, sadly.
"Hain't he got any relations anywhere?"
"No; Uncle Dan'l said he didn't have a soul that he could go to."
"It must be kinder hard for him to live there alone, an' I don't s'pose he'll ever be able to walk."
Toby was not at all certain whether or not Abner could ever be cured; but he told the old driver what he knew of the lonely life the boy led. Ben did not appear to hear what was said, for he was in one of his deep studies, and seemed unconscious of everything except the fact that his horses were going in the proper direction.
"I'll tell you what I'll do, Toby," he said, after remaining silent until they were nearly at the tent. "I hain't got a child or a chick in the world, an' I'll take care of that boy."
Toby looked up in surprise, as he repeated, in a puzzled way,
"You'll take care of him?"
"I don't mean that I'll take hold an' tote him round, but he shall have as much as he needs out of every dollar I get. I'll see your uncle Dan'l, an' fix it somehow so he'll be taken out of the poor-house."
"Why, Ben, how good you are!" and Toby looked up at his friend with sincere admiration imprinted on his face.