coins in her hand.

Joe hesitated, and then took from the outstretched palm fifty cents,
motioning that she keep the remainder.

The old lady shook her head, energetically, and literally forced him to
take all the coins, which amounted in value to ninety cents.

"You've only kept a dime," he said, in protest, "an' it isn't enough to
pay for takin' care of the princess two days."

Mrs. Weber smiled, kindly, patted Joe on the head, kissed the princess
affectionately, and by opening the door signified that she would not
accept further payment for her services.

"I'll come back some day an' square up for what you've done," Joe cried,
as he stepped down on to the sidewalk, and then he remembered that if
matters were arranged as seemed necessary, he would soon be in prison.
"Anyway, I'll come back as soon as I can," he added to himself, and
kissing the tiny hand which the princess had wilfully placed over his
mouth, he set forward, resolutely, on the journey, followed by the boy
who claimed the right to dictate as to his future movements.

During half an hour Joe walked steadily on towards aunt Dorcas's
peaceful home, listening to the princess's childish prattle, and
banishing all forebodings from his mind with the thought that the baby
trusted and loved him.

Then Dan, who had been walking a few paces in the rear, came to his
side, appearing a trifle more friendly than when they first met.

"At this rate you'll get back in time for dinner."

"It seems as though I ought to, but it's kind of hard work carryin' the
princess. Aunt Dorcas gave me the cakes so's we wouldn't need to hurry
on the road, an'--where are they?"

"Do you mean that little bunch of cakes you gave me?"

"Little bunch! Why, there was a stack of 'em!"

"It don't make any difference how many there was, 'cause I ate the whole
lot."

Joe looked at the amateur detective as if about to make an angry reply;
but checked himself, and Dan said, defiantly:

"The time's gone by when you can put on airs with me, Joe Potter. I
ain't goin' to starve to death when there's anything 'round I can eat."

"No, you'd rather let a little baby like this one go hungry. I wouldn't
have touched the cakes any sooner'n I'd cut my finger off, 'cause they
was for her."

"You make me tired with your bloomin' princess. She's stuffed jest about
as full as she can hold, an' I'm the same as starved."

Joe did not so much as look at the selfish boy, but walked more rapidly