d have to. Jest the minute I stir she begins to fuss
'round, an'--"

"Well, let her fuss. Old Mis' Carter says kids wouldn't be healthy if
they didn't kick up a row every once in awhile."

"I guess she won't be sick any to speak of, if we keep her quiet till
mornin'. The trouble is, Plums, there's bound to be an awful row jest
as soon as she wakes up an' finds out where she is. I s'pose she's been
tended like she was a piece of glass, an' the shanty must look pretty
hard to her. You can tell by the way she acts that the princess has
always had a reg'lar snap, an' I wouldn't be s'prised if this was the
meanest place she was ever in."

"She'll be lucky never to get in a worse one," Master Plummer replied,
emphatically; and added, after having filled his mouth once more,
"There's no reason why you can't eat your share of the stew an' hold her
at the same time."

"I'm 'fraid I might spill some of it on her dress."

"Look here, Joe Potter," and now Plums spoke sharply, "you'll be all
wore up before mornin', carryin' on at this rate. It wouldn't hurt that
kid a bit if she had every drop of stew we've got, on her clothes, an'
she's playin' in big luck to be with us instead of walkin' 'round the
streets. Take your share of the stuff while it's goin', for of course
you haven't had anything to eat since noon."

"I had a pretty fair breakfast."

"An' nothin' since then?" Master Plummer cried, in astonishment.

"Well, I wasn't hungry,--that is, not very. You see, when a feller
closes up business, the same's I've done, he don't think much 'bout
eatin'."

"Well, think about it now, an' _do_ it, too!"

Having thus spoken, and in his sternest tones, Plums placed the second
can of stew where his friend could reach it conveniently, and waited
until Joe had so changed his position that it was possible for him to
partake of the food.

No better proof of Master Plummer's interest in his friend could have
been given than when he thus voluntarily ceased eating to serve him.

The boys had not attempted to remove either the princess's hat or cloak,
and she appeared anything rather than comfortable as she lay wrapped in
newspapers, with her head pillowed on Joe's arm; but yet her slumbers
were not disturbed when Master Potter, his appetite aroused by the odour
of the stew, proceeded to make a hearty meal.

"I s'pose we ought'er wake her up, so's she'll get somethin' to eat,"
Joe said, thoughtfully, and Plums replied, very decided