morning for Bob and me, then," she answered, and he
saw it in her face that it would be. But he felt that it was because
of the boy; not for any other reason. It occurred to him that it might
possibly be a happy morning for the driver of the Green Imp, also.

"So Ellen's going to dress the brat." Macauley was strolling over
the lawn with Chester and Burns, as, having out-sat the women on the
Macauley porch, the men were turning bedward, reluctant to leave the
cool star-shine of the July night. "It's easy to see why she wants to do
that. Her three-year-old boy would have been just about this Bob's age
by now. Tough luck, wasn't it?--when he was all she had left since Jack
got out of the game?"

Burns stared at him. "Oh, that's why? I didn't know about her boy, or
I'd forgotten it if I was ever told. She will enjoy fitting Bob out, if
I can keep her from putting him into white clothes to make him resemble
an angel instead of a small boy with an eye for dirt."

"You'll find Ellen's no fool," Macauley assured him warmly. "But if she
takes an interest in the boy it'll be the best thing that could happen
to him. She has a lot of money. She may get a notion to adopt him."

But upon this Red Pepper Burns spoke with decision. "Confound you, the
kiddie belongs to me. Didn't I tell you his name is now Robert Burns?
She may dress him if she likes. She can't have him, not by a long shot.
He's mine!"

"Oh, well, it might be arranged," murmured Macauley, but not quite low
enough. In a flash he was laid flat on his back on the lawn, a menacing
figure standing over him.

"None of that!" growled the man with the temper. "Not now or any other
time." Then he laughed and let his victim up. "Alcohol will take out
grass stains, Jim," he advised. "Tell Martha that."

CHAPTER IV. IN WHICH HE MAKES A CONCESSION

Red Pepper Burns opened his eyes. What on earth was that? A small voice
piping at him from within close range? But how could that be?

Something bumped against him. He turned his head on his pillow. A small
figure at his side had raised itself upon its elbow; big black eyes in a
pale little face were staring at him in affright. Burns roused himself,
suddenly very wide awake indeed.

"It's all right, little man," said he, pulling the child gently into the
warmth of his encircling arm. "You came home with me last night. Don't
you remember? You're going to make me a visit. And this morning after
breakfast we're going to