And it was good for him to remember these things, after so many ungracious years, just as it was good to see the snow, after so long a time of tropic sun and rain. He knew that it was good, and for a little time he was content, watching the snow fall. But his destiny was not inclined to allow him many peaceful moments just then. Before he had even begun to think of his complicated anxieties, a sound from the next room brought the whole burden upon him like an avalanche. It was the child’s voice. He jumped up from the couch, and then he noticed that Eddy had gone. He frowned, not knowing whether this was a disaster or a thing of no importance, and, without stopping to put on his shoes, went across to the bedroom door and turned the knob. He had come so quietly that no one had heard him, and he was able to observe a curious scene. Eddy was on his knees, his head bowed before the little girl, who sat on the bed, lifting strands of his glossy hair and pulling them out to their fullest extent, with a grave and thoughtful air. “Lookit here!” whispered Eddy. “I wish you’d quit that, baby!” “You dot funny, flippety-floppety hair,” said she. “Well, anyway, hold your foot still, won’t you?” he entreated. Ross saw, then, that Eddy was trying to put the child’s socks on, and getting no intelligent coöperation from her. “What are you doing that for?” he asked. Eddy sprang to his feet like a cat. He looked at Ross, and Ross looked at him, and the little girl lay back on the bed and began jouncing up and down. “Well,” Eddy replied, slowly, “if you really want to know, it was me brought her here, and now I’m goin’ to take her away again; that’s all.” Once more Ross was conscious of a disarming pity for the boy. He thought he had never seen a human creature who looked so unhappy. “Look here, Eddy!” he remarked. “Who is she, anyhow?” “Her?” said Eddy. “Why, what does it matter?” Ross was silent for a moment. “I—I’m interested in the little girl,” he said, half ashamed of this weakness. “I’d like to know where she’s going.” “Gawd knows,” said Eddy, briefly. “What do you mean?” “She can’t stay here,” said Eddy. “That’s one sure thing.” Again he looked at Ross, with a strange intensity, as if he were trying desperately to read that quite unreadable face. “If you’re really interested in the kid—” he began. “I am,” said Ross. Eddy sat down on the bed. “I don’t believe you told them, over at the house,” he continued. “’Cause, if they knew, they’d of—” “No, I didn’t,” said Ross. “Then nobody knows she’s here—but me and you?” “That’s all.” “Well,” said Eddy. Again Ross had a distinct warning of danger, and again he defied it, standing there stubbornly resistant to all the ill winds that might blow. “This kid,” Eddy pointed out—“she hasn’t got anybody in the world.”