sk of getting them ready,
and spent an anxious hour keeping them clean and tidy until William
arrived from the office and "cleaned up." She watched them, with pride
and tenderness on her face, as they departed, Bessie and Joey, aged six
and four years respectively, in front, where, as William put it, he
could "keep an eye on 'em;" William and Pete, with Dolly, the baby, two
years old, toddling along between them. As a shepherd, William herded
them by street car and on foot, until they reached the Whimple house.
Miss Whimple was at the gate to meet them. "Here's the bunch, Miss
Whimple," he said smilingly, and then contrived to get in an aside to
Pete, "Now you mind what I said about behavin' or I'll knock your block
off when we gets away."

The youngsters were timid and shy. They hung to William closely for a
while, with hazy notions only of what to do with themselves, and from
sheer embarrassment rebuffing the kindly advances of Miss Whimple and
the maid. They began to feel more at home when Miss Whimple suggested
a tour of the grounds, and a visit to the barn to see the cows, two
fine Jerseys, and presently they began to talk to her and to one
another with freedom, all but Dolly. Miss Whimple, who was greatly
taken with the little toddler, noticed that William was particularly
tender toward her, his hands were ever ready to lift her, or guide her
over rough ground, he suited his steps to hers when she walked, and all
the time he kept up a running fire of baby talk. Dolly was all dimples
and smiles; she seemed to be perfectly happy and contented, but she
made no sound. It was some time before Miss Whimple noticed this, and
when she said to the little one, "Such a little pet, I'll warrant you
talk a lot to your mammy though," Dolly smiled at her and then turned
to William her wonderful brown eyes full of questioning. William
smiled back, "She likes oo, Dolly," he said softly, and then looked at
Miss Whimple, his eyes moist, his lips trembling a little. He tried to
speak, but could not find words. But Miss Whimple understood. Her
hands went to her breast. "Oh--" she murmured, "I--I--didn't
understand, William, I--I----" Down on her knees she went near one of
the flower beds, pulled therefrom a rose, and, with the tears
streaming, pinned the flower to Dolly's dress, saying half to herself,
"Deaf and dumb--deaf and dumb--poor little mite. God bless
you--and--help you."

Thereafter she made Dolly her specia