Brian, eager at all times to be in the very thick of everything, however slight, that was in progress around him, had paid a visit to the shoemaker's shop, going there with Comethup one morning in search of 'Linda. Before they entered, he had glanced up at the overhanging shop front, and had read there the painted name of the proprietor, "M. Theed." He appeared to carry the name in his remembrance after he entered the place, and to be fitting it together in some way and puzzling over it. Even as he saw 'Linda seated on the bench, and nodded laughingly to her, he turned in his quick fashion to the old man, who had ceased hammering and was looking curiously at him, and asked, "What's your other name?"
The shoemaker looked at him for a moment in silence, and then replied slowly, "Medmer."
"That's a queer name," said the boy--"Medmer Theed; and what a queer place you've got here!" He glanced round, and then appeared to dismiss the matter altogether from his mind. "We've come to find 'Linda," he added.
The old man laid down his hammer and put an arm about the child, as though to draw her to him. Comethup was a little surprised and a little frightened, on glancing at him, to see the expression of his eyes.
"Let the little maid stay here," he said, almost in a growl; "she has naught to do with you."
Brian stared at him and laughed, and looked with raised eyebrows toward Comethup. Comethup came quickly to the rescue.
"Why, Brian is our great friend--my cousin, you know. He's known 'Linda a long time."
The shoemaker did not reply for some minutes; he sat, with his arm drawn round the child and his head bent, muttering to himself. Then presently, with a sigh, he withdrew his arm and took up his work, and began hammering again steadily, as though no one were near him. After waiting for a few moments, Comethup drew nearer to the bench; and 'Linda scrambled down and put her hand in his, and prepared to go with them. Comethup politely wished the shoemaker "Good-day"; but he kept on steadily at his work, and did not appear to hear. The three children went out together, and down the little narrow street. Comethup, glancing back over his shoulder for a moment, saw that the shoemaker had come to the door of his shop, and was standing there, with one hand shading his eyes, looking after them.