"Why? Do you want to whip him, before he can go to sleep?" jeered Mrs.
Comstock.
"No, I don't!" said Margaret. "He's Wesley's, and nobody shall touch
him. Wesley!"
Wesley Sinton appeared behind Margaret in the doorway, and she turned to
him. "Make Kate Comstock let go of our boy!" she demanded.
"Billy, she wants you now," said Wesley Sinton. "She won't whip you, and
she won't let any one else. You can have stacks of good things to eat,
ride in the carriage, and have a great time. Won't you stay with us?"
Billy drew away from Mrs. Comstock and Elnora.
He faced Margaret, his eyes shrewd with unchildish wisdom. Necessity had
taught him to strike the hot iron, to drive the hard bargain.
"Can I have Snap to live here always?" he demanded.
"Yes, you can have all the dogs you want," said Margaret Sinton.
"Can I sleep close enough so's I can touch you?"
"Yes, you can move your lounge up so that you can hold my hand," said
Margaret.
"Do you love me now?" questioned Billy.
"I'll try to love you, if you are a good boy," said Margaret.
"Then I guess I'll stay," said Billy, walking over to her.
Out in the night Elnora and her mother went down the road in the
moonlight; every few rods Mrs. Comstock laughed aloud.
"Mother, I don't understand you," sobbed Elnora.
"Well, maybe when you have gone to high school longer you will," said
Mrs. Comstock. "Anyway, you saw me bring Mag Sinton to her senses,
didn't you?"
"Yes, I did," answered Elnora, "but I thought you were in earnest.
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