"I can see, Mrs. Stewart, that you are as foolish about the baby, as the two girls are themselves," laughed Dr. Evans, as he took up his hat to depart.
Mrs. Stewart laughed, but the moment the doctor was out of the front door, she hurried upstairs to help dress the boy after his bath.
Once he was dressed in his new clothing, and had had a full cup of warm milk and gruel, he cuddled down for his nap.
"Now, no use talking! he is a wonder!" declared Eleanor.
"We can keep him, as well as not. He isn't one mite of trouble," added Polly.
Having waited until Billy was fast asleep, Mrs. Stewart tip-toed from the bedroom, beckoning the girls to follow her out.
The police-department had sent their detective to get all the facts from Eleanor and Polly, and the press had sent to find out if there was any other clue or information about the boy; then, no further interruptions took place that day.
The two girls sat out under the locust tree in the yard, because there they could hear the first whimper from Billy, when he awoke from his nap. As they sat there, they discussed his future.
"If no one ever calls for him, what _shall_ we do with him?' asked Polly, giving Eleanor a penetrating look.
"You've got something on your mind--what is it?" countered Eleanor.
"Yes, I have, but I want to hear what _you_ have to say."
"I'd love to keep him, Polly--at least as long as we are in New York. I suppose it would be impossible to take him abroad with us, next summer," returned Eleanor.
"Yes--impossible. And if we keep him with us, we will have to hire a nurse-maid, as poor Mrs. Stewart can't look after a lively youngster all day, while we are at school."
"What was your idea, then?" wondered Eleanor.
"Can't you guess, Nolla? And his name is Billy, too!"
For an instant Eleanor's face looked too surprised to allow her to speak. Then she stammered: "Well--of all things!"
"Seeing his name is Billy, and his eyes are dark brown and his hair golden curls, and he is about sixteen months old--all of which are in his favor to advance my little scheme, I should say that we try to keep him a few weeks, right now, and see if we can add to Billy's winsome ways. Meanwhile, we will use every effort to find if he has any relatives; then should he be a veritable foundling, we will present him to dear Mr. Dalken for his very own."