Master
Plummer announced, in an exceedingly loud tone as he entered the
building; and Joe whispered, hoarsely:

"What are you makin' sich a row for? If you ain't careful, you'll wake
the princess."

"Well, I'll be blowed, if she ain't gone to sleep jest like any of Mis'
Carter's kids would do!" Plums said, in a tone of surprise, when he was
where a view could be had of the sleeping child.

"Of course she has. You don't s'pose swells sleep different from other
folks, do you?"

"I don't know, 'cause I never had a chance to see one close to, before.
Say, here's the stuff."

Plums was literally laden with small packages, and, in addition, had the
two tomato cans nearly filled with what he declared was "great stew."

"I tell you there's no flies on that stuff, an' here's the pie," he
added, as he took a parcel wrapped in brown paper from under his arm.
"I'm 'fraid it's got mashed a little, but I couldn't carry it any other
way. Takin' the stew an' that, with what other things I've got, it'll be
funny if your princess can't fill herself up in great shape."

Then, from one pocket and another, Master Plummer drew out two small
cakes frosted with white and sprinkled with red sugar, three inches or
more of Bologna sausage, a cruller, a small bag of peanuts, an apple,
and two sticks of candy which looked much the worse for wear, because of
having been placed in his pocket without a covering.

"Now if that ain't rich enough for any feller's blood, I'd like to know
what you'd call it? Three or four princesses like your'n ought'er get
through with a layout same's this, an' thank their lucky stars for
havin' the chance."

CHAPTER III.

AN ADVERTISEMENT.

Having placed the packages on the straw near about his friend, in what
he believed to be a most tempting display, Master Plummer seemed to
consider that his duties as host had been performed properly, and gave
himself wholly up to the pleasures of eating.

With one of the tomato cans between his knees, he gave undivided
attention to the savoury stew, until, the first pangs of hunger having
been appeased, he noted, as if in surprise, that Joe was not joining in
the feast.

"Why ain't you eatin' somethin'?" he asked, speaking indistinctly
because of the fullness of his mouth.

"I don't see how it can be done while the princess is asleep."

"Put her down on the blanket, where she belongs. You don't count on
holdin' her all night, I hope?"

"It looks like I'