you if it wasn't so. If I'll stay with you 'til they come, then go with
you to the place 'til you see how nice it is, will you be good and go?"

She burrowed in the covers, screeching again.

"You're scared past all reason," said Mickey. "You don't know anything.
But maybe the Orphings' Homes ain't so good as they look. If they are, why
was mother frightened silly about them getting _me?_ Always she said she
just _had_ to live until I got so big they wouldn't 'get' me. And I kept
them from getting me by doing what she told me. Wonder if I could keep
them from getting you? There's nothing of you. If I could move you there,
I bet I could feed you more than your granny did, while I know I could
keep you cleaner. You could have my bed, a window to look from, and clean
covers." Mickey was thinking aloud. "Having you to come home to would be
lots nicer than nothing. You'd beat a dog all hollow, 'cause you can talk.
If I could get you there, I believe I could be making it. Yes, I believe I
could do a lot better than this, and I believe I'd like you, Peaches, you
are such a game little kid."

"She could lift me with one hand," she panted. "Oh Mickey, take me!
Hurry!"

"Lemme see if I can manage you," said Mickey. "Have you got to be took any
particular way?"

"Mickey, ain't you got folks that beat you?" she asked.

"I ain't got folks now," said Mickey, "and they didn't beat me when I had
them. I'm all for myself--and if you say so, I guess from now on, I'm for
you. Want to go?"