“I ain't been anywhere,” Lem said. “I'm to Shuder's--to his junkyard. I'm junkin' for him an' he's keepin' me.” “Shuder is? Who is Shuder?” Lem came and stood by her side. “He's the Jew. He's the one that pop could n't abide. He's all right, though, Shuder is. Say--” “Yes?” “You know my pop--well, he went away. So I went. But he was n't there. He said he'd send word to me when he was somewhere else--he said he'd send it here to Aunt Susan's house. But he did n't, did he?” “No; I'm quite sure he has not.” “Well, I guess he don't want me, anyhow,” said Lem. “I guess that's what's the matter. Only--” “Yes, Lem?” “If he does send word you'll let me know, won't you? Because I'll be down to Shuder's. You will, won't you? Only don't let that old thief aunt know where I am, will you? Because she'd jail me, darn her! She'd do that in a minute.” “Lem,” said Henrietta, “would you like to be my boy?” “Sure! I'd like it if I was. Only I ain't.” “But if I could have you? You would like to be my boy, would n't you? And live with me? Not in this house; some other house.” “What you going to do; buy me off of Aunt Susan?” Henrietta laughed ruefully. If it came to that she was herself in pawn to Miss Sue. “'Cause she's got first rights to me,” Lem said. “Unless pop gets me back from her. Say--” “What, Lem?” “I guess maybe pop ain't goin' to try very hard to get me back. I guess maybe he don't want to bother about it. I guess, if the Jews have got the upper hand of the junk business everywhere, pop'll go into the saint business somewhere again. So he won't want me then. So I guess, if he don't send me word pretty soon, I 'll go somewhere else. You know--where there ain't no old aunt that wants to jail me.” “You mean run away, Lem?” “Yes. I can get a job, I guess, junking. I don't mind Jews. They cook pretty good. They don't make you wash the dishes, anyway.” Henrietta put her arm around the boy, but he did not like it and squirmed, and she released him. “How much does your father owe Miss Susan?” she asked. “I don't know. A lot, I guess. Only he paid her some. He owes her what's left of what he owed her. Lots of money, I guess.” “A hundred? Two hundred?” “I guess so. I don't know.” “Well, no matter. I'll let you know if any word comes from your father. But, promise me this, Lem--you won't run away until you let me know. I won't tell. Will you promise that?” “Yes.” “And come to me any time you want to. If you get into trouble, come to me. Any night or any day. I'll always sit here awhile after the others go. You'll do that--come to me if you are in trouble?” “Yes.” “Then you'd better go. It's very late.” “All right.” The boy dropped over the edge of the porch. For a minute or two longer Henrietta sat; then she went in. CHAPTER XXIV