he kitchen. She told the
strange boy to follow her, and soon she had set out in front of him some
bread and butter, a plate of cold meat and a big bowl of cool, rich,
creamy milk.

"Now you just eat all you want," said Grandma Brown, kindly.

Bunny and Sue had come out into the kitchen, and they now stood staring
at the strange boy. He had a pleasant face, though, just now, it looked
pale, and all pinched up from hunger, like a rubber ball that hasn't any
air in it.

The boy looked around the kitchen, as though he did not know just what
to do. In his hand he held a ragged cap he had taken off his head when
he came in.

"Did you want something?" asked Grandma Brown.

"I--I was looking for a place to hang my hat. And then I'd like to wash.
I'm all dust and dirt."

Grandma Brown smiled. She was pleased--Bunny and Sue could see that--for
Grandma Brown liked clean and neat boys and girls who hung up their hats
and bonnets, and washed their faces and hands, without being told to do
so.

"Hang your cap over on that nail," said Grandpa Brown, pointing to one
behind the stove. "And you can wash at the sink to-night. Now you two
tots had better go to bed!" grandpa went on, as he saw Bunny and Sue
standing with their backs against the wall, watching the strange boy.

"We--we want to stay and see him eat," objected Sue.

The boy smiled, and Mrs. Brown laughed.

"This isn't a circus, where you watch the animals eat," she said. "You
come along with me, and, when this young man has finished his supper,
you can see him again."

"Oh, but--if you please--you're very good. But after I eat this nice
meal I'll--I'll be going on," said the boy.

"No you'll not!" said Grandpa Brown. "You'll just stay here all night.
We can put you up. I think it's going to storm. You don't want to be out
in the rain?"

"Oh, that's very good of you," the boy said, "But I don't want to be a
trouble to you."

"It won't be any trouble," Grandpa Brown said. Then he went out of the
kitchen with Mother Brown, Bunny and Sue, leaving Grandma Brown to wait
on the strange boy. Splash stayed in the kitchen too. Perhaps the big
dog was hungry himself.

"That boy isn't a regular tramp," said Grandpa Brown. "But there is
something queer about him. He seems afraid. I must have a talk with him
after he eats."

"He seems nice and neat," said Mother Brown.

"Yes, he's clean. I like him for that. Well, we'll soon find out what he
has to tell me."

But t