some'ers where I've a right to be."

"Wouldn't they let you work down at Lemuel Weeks'?" She shook her head.

"Why not?" he asked.

"They said I wasn't honest; they said they couldn't trust me with things,
'cause when I was hungry I took things to eat."

"Was that the way you were treated at other places?"

"Mostly."

"Jane," asked Holcroft very kindly, "did anyone ever kiss you?"

"Mother used to 'fore people. It allus made me kinder sick."

Holcroft shook his head as if this child was a problem beyond him, and for a
time they sat together in silence. At last he arose and said, "It's time to
go home. Now, Jane, don't follow me; walk openly at my side, and when you
come to call me at any time, come openly, make a noise, whistle or sing as a
child ought. As long as you are with me, never do anything on the sly, and
we'll get along well enough."

She nodded and walked beside him. At last, as if emboldened by his words, she
broke out, "Say, if mother married you, you couldn't send us away, could you?"

"Why do you ask such a question?" said Holcroft, frowning.

"I was a-thinkin'--"