“Yes,” said Mariette shyly. She had a marked preference for David, who protected her from Nipper.
“And Danny can be our big brother,” said Bill, who hadn’t much use for girls.
“All we want now,” said Nipper, “is a mother.” Then a bright idea struck him. “Miss Prince can be our mother!” he cried.
Danny kicked him, and told him in a whisper to shut up, but Nipper didn’t see why he should shut up over such a splendid idea.
“But she can be our mother, can’t she?” he said, appealing to the Tramp.
“Yes, yes!” cried the others altogether—even Mariette, who had already found in Miss Prince the mother’s tenderness she had never known.
“Can she be our mother? Say yes, say yes!” pleaded Nipper, clinging to the Tramp’s hand.
“Don’t be so previous, Nipper,” said the Tramp. “I was only waiting for all you chaps to clear out, to ask Miss Prince that myself. Come,” he said, stretching out his free hand towards her, “let’s go out into the garden and hide our blushes—this is too painful!”
As they went out of the French window Nipper caught hold of Miss Prince’s hand.
“Say yes,” he whispered—“to please me.”