Under the Lilacs Read Online Free

to bolt out against
     his will, as if the woman’s sympathy irresistibly won the child’s confidence.
    “Then I don’t blame you. But how did you get here?”
    “I was so tired I couldn’t go any further, and I thought the folks up here at the big house would take me in. But the gate
     was locked, and I was so discouraged, I jest laid down outside and give up.”
    “Poor little soul, I don’t wonder,” said Mrs. Moss, whilethe children looked deeply interested at mention of
their
gate.
    The boy drew a long breath, and his eyes began to twinkle in spite of his forlorn state as he went on, while the dog pricked
     up his ears at mention of his name—
    “While I was restin’ I heard someone come along inside, and I peeked, and saw them little girls playin’. The vittles looked
     so nice I couldn’t help wantin’ ’em; but I didn’t take nothin’ — it was Sancho, and he took the cake for me.”
    Bab and Betty gave a gasp and stared reproachfully at the poodle, who half closed his eyes with a meek, unconscious look that
     was very droll.
    “And you made him put it back?” cried Bab.
    “No; I did it myself. Got over the gate when you was racin’ after Sanch, and then clim’ up on the porch and hid,” said the
     boy with a grin.
    “And you laughed?” asked Bab.
    “Yes.”
    “And sneezed?” added Betty.
    “Yes.”
    “And threw down the roses?” cried both.
    “Yes; and you liked ’em, didn’t you?”
    “Course we did! What made you hide?” said Bab.
    “I wasn’t fit to be seen,” muttered Ben, glancing at his tatters as if he’d like to dive out of sight into the dark coach
     again.
    “How came you
here?”
demanded Mrs. Moss, suddenly remembering her responsibility.
    “I heard ’em talk about a little winder and a shed, and when they’d gone I found it and come in. The glass was broke, and
     I only pulled the nail out. I haven’t done a mite of harm sleepin’ here two nights. I was so tuckered out I couldn’t go on
     nohow, though I tried a-Sunday.”
    “And came back again?”
    “Yes, ’m; it was so lonesome in the rain, and this place seemed kinder like home, and I could hear ’em talkin’ outside, and
     Sanch he found vittles, and I was pretty comfortable.”
    “Well, I never!” ejaculated Mrs. Moss, whisking up a corner of her apron to wipe her eyes, for the thought of the poor little
     fellow alone there for two days and nights with no bed but musty straw, no food but the scraps a dog brought him, was too
     much for her. “Do you know what I’m going to do with you?” she asked, trying to look calm and cool, with a great tear running
     down her wholesome red cheek, and a smile trying to break out at the corners of her lips.
    “No, ma’am; and I dunno as I care. Only don’t be hard on Sanch; he’s been real good to me, and we’re fond of one another;
     ain’t us, old chap?” answered the boy, with his arm around the dog’s neck, and an anxious look which he had not worn for himself.
    “I’m going to take you right home, and wash and feed and put you in a good bed; and tomorrow — well, we’ll see what’ll happen
     then,” said Mrs. Moss, not quite sure about it herself.
    “You’re very kind, ma’am. I’ll be glad to work for you. Ain’t you got a horse I can see to?” asked the boy, eagerly.
    “Nothing but hens and a cat.”
    Bab and Betty burst out laughing when their mother said that, and Ben gave a faint giggle, as if he would like to join in
     if he only had the strength to do it. But his legs shook under him, and he felt a queer dizziness; so he could only hold on
     to Sancho, and blink at the light like a young owl.
    “Come right along, child. Run on, girls, and put the rest of the broth to warming, and fill the kettle. I’ll see to theboy,” commanded Mrs. Moss, waving off the children, and going up to feel the pulse of her new charge, for it suddenly occurred
     to her that he might be sick and not safe to take home.
    The hand he gave her was