That little hot hand clinging tight to his, the sore
feet recklessly scouring the walk, the hungry child panting for breath
as he tried to keep even, the brave soul jesting in the face of hard
luck, caught Sinton in a tender, empty spot.
"Say, son," he said. "How would you like to be washed clean, and have
all the supper your skin could hold, and sleep in a good bed?"
"Aw, gee!" said Billy. "I ain't dead yet! Them things is in heaven! Poor
folks can't have them. Pa said so."
"Well, you can have them if you want to go with me and get them,"
promised Sinton.
"Honest?"
"Yes, honest."
"Crost yer heart?"
"Yes," said Sinton.
"Kin I take some to Jimmy and Belle?"
"If you'll come with me and be my boy, I'll see that they have plenty."
"What will pa say?"
"Your pa is in that kind of sleep now where he won't wake up, Billy,"
said Sinton. "I am pretty sure the law will give you to me, if you want
to come."
"When people don't ever wake up they're dead," announced Billy. "Is my
pa dead?"
"Yes, he is," answered Sinton.
"And you'll take care of Jimmy and Belle, too?"
"I can't adopt all three of you," said Sinton. "I'll take you, and see
that they are well provided for. Will you come?"
"Yep, I'll come," said Billy. "Let's eat, first thing we do."
"All right," agreed Sinton. "Come into this restaurant." He lifted Billy
to the lunch counter and ordered the clerk to give him as many glasses
of milk as he wanted, and a biscuit.
Pages:
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127