"Something like the first night, when I got lost," he thought to
himself. "What changes have occurred since then!"
Richard repeated his kicking, and presently there were sounds of
footsteps within, the turning of a key in the lock, and then the door
opened cautiously, revealing Mrs. Linyard.
"Oh, it's you!" she exclaimed. "Come in! I was afraid it might be some
drunken man; there's so many here of a Sunday, trying to get in."
"Aunt Betty, don't you know me!" piped up Pep's voice, all in a tremble.
Mrs. Linyard turned and surveyed the street urchin eagerly.
"Mercy me! if it hain't Tom's boy!" she ejaculated. "Where in the world
did you come from?"
"Mr. Dare brought me," replied Pep.
Mrs. Linyard caught him up in her arms.
"Who'd a believed it!" she cried. "Mr. Dare a doing of it. Why, you're
as dirty as a pig! Where's your dad and your marm and sister Mary?"
"Dad's sick. We just left him. Marm and Mary are dead. Mr. Dare says
you've got money for dad. I'm so glad, 'cause he's sick."
"Mother and Mary dead!" The sad news brought the tears to the woman's
eyes. "Poor dear! Poor Tom!"
"Mr. Clover is very sick," said Richard. "He has no one to care for
him but Pep. Is Mr. Linyard at home?"
"Yes; taking his nap on the sofa.
Pages:
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168