"Come sit down," she said, moving to make room for him on the doorstep.
"You seem to be a good nurse, too," he responded, taking the proffered seat. "What's Bobbie doing here this time of day?"
She told him of the child's decision to stay with her, and his refusal to go home, his fight, and his stormy sorrow. He listened, with an amused twinkle in his eyes.
"Poor little chap," he said; "he has my sympathy in refusing to be parted from you."
"Don't waste your sympathy," she replied saucily. Somehow that provoking smile of his nettled her. He had found her vulnerable.
"Bigger chaps than he feel the same way towards you," he said, smiling still.
He saw that she was badly teased, and the spirit of mischief led him on.
"Now _I'd_ like to stay with you always, myself."
She looked as though she would annihilate him.
"And what is more, I'd like to change places with Bobbie this very minute."
She rose suddenly, but with some effort, for the child was stout and heavy for his years.
"What are you going to do?" he asked, looking admiringly upon Bobbie.
"How cruel to Bobbie!" he said, stepping near her and extending his arms for the child. "Let _me_ carry him, do."
"I can carry him myself, thank you," she said, with a sudden air of independence.
Again she saw his look of amusement, and struggled with her heavy load, knowing full well that she could not carry him far.
"No, you must not carry him," he said firmly. "He is too heavy for you." And without more ado, he took Bobbie from her arms.
"Come," he said amicably, "we'll both take him home--to Mrs. Carmichael's."
So on they trudged. Bobbie roused a moment, but seeing a familiar face, he reached up his grimy hand and patted the bronzed cheeks, then cuddled comfortably into the strong arms.
"So Bobbie wanted to stay with you," he was saying.
"_I'd_ like to call you 'mither' myself some day. It's a beautiful name."
She felt provoked with herself. Why in the world had she made that unfortunate remark?
"You love children, don't you?" He was not smiling now.
"Oh, yes; from my childhood up I have loved every child I have seen."
But at this juncture Bobbie again roused, rubbed his eyes and demanded to be put down. So Kenneth set him on his feet. The little lad stood in sleepy bewilderment a moment, then with an engaging smile, offered one hand to Esther, and the other to Kenneth. He began to chatter.