and--" he suddenly broke off and looked toward the white house in
the distance "--Didn't you say you lived over there?" he inquired.

"Yes," said Trot. "Won't you come home with us?"

"I'd like to," replied Button-Bright.

"All right, let's go then," said the girl, jumping up.

The three walked silently along the path. The old sailorman had
refilled his pipe and lighted it again, and he smoked thoughtfully
as he pegged along beside the children. "Know anyone around here?"
he asked Button-Bright.

"No one but you two," said the boy, following after Trot, with his
umbrella tucked carefully underneath his arm.

"And you don't know us very well," remarked Cap'n Bill. "Seems to me
you're pretty young to be travelin' so far from home an' among
strangers. But I won't say anything more till we've heard your
story. Then, if you need my advice, or Trot's advice--she's a wise
little girl, fer her size, Trot is--we'll freely give it an' be glad
to help you."

"Thank you," replied Button-Bright. "I need a lot of things, I'm
sure, and p'raps advice is one of 'em."