snow," he replied softly. "It ees not lie!"

There was more than gentleness in John Cummins' touch now. Jan could
not understand it, but he yielded to it, and went back into the cabin.
There was more than friendship in Cummins' eyes when he placed his
hands again upon the boy's shoulders, and Jan could not understand
that.

"There is plenty of room here--now," said Cummins huskily. "Will you
stay with the little Melisse and me?"

"With the leetle Melisse!" gasped the boy. Softly he sped to the tiny
cot and knelt beside it, his thin shoulders hunched over, his long
black hair shining lustrously in the lamp-glow, his breath coming in
quick, sobbing happiness. "I--I--stay with the leetle white angel for
ever and ever!" he whispered, his words meant only for the unhearing
ears of the child. "Jan Thoreau will stay, yes--and hees violon! I
give it to you--and ze museek!"

He laid his precious violin across the foot of the cot.




CHAPTER IV

THE PROBLEM


In the days that followed, there came other things which Jan could not