so.

"Hang your cap over on that nail," said Grandpa Brown, pointing to one
behind the stove. "And you can wash at the sink to-night. Now you two
tots had better go to bed!" grandpa went on, as he saw Bunny and Sue
standing with their backs against the wall, watching the strange boy.

"We--we want to stay and see him eat," objected Sue.

The boy smiled, and Mrs. Brown laughed.

"This isn't a circus, where you watch the animals eat," she said. "You
come along with me, and, when this young man has finished his supper,
you can see him again."

"Oh, but--if you please--you're very good. But after I eat this nice
meal I'll--I'll be going on," said the boy.

"No you'll not!" said Grandpa Brown. "You'll just stay here all night.
We can put you up. I think it's going to storm. You don't want to be out
in the rain?"

"Oh, that's very good of you," the boy said, "But I don't want to be a
trouble to you."

"It won't be any trouble," Grandpa Brown said. Then he went out of the
kitchen with Mother Brown, Bunny and Sue, leaving Grandma Brown to wait
on the strange boy. Splash stayed in the kitchen too. Perhaps the big
dog was hungry himself.