"Oh! How old is she?" Questions seemed endless. "I don't know," answered Mickey. "Her granny died and left her lying on rags in a garret. I found her screeching, so I took her to my castle and washed her, and fed her. You should see her now." "I believe I should!" said the woman. "Let's go at once. You know Michael, you can't care for a _girl_. I'll put her in one of the beautiful Children's Homes--" "Now nix on the Children's Homes, fair lady!" he cried angrily. "I guess you'll _find_ her, 'fore you take her! I found her first, and she's _mine!_ I guess you'll _find_ her, 'fore you take her to a Children's Home, where the doctors slice up the poor kids for practice so they'll know how to get money for doing it to the rich ones. I've _annexed_ Lily Peaches, and you don't '_get_' her! See?" "I see," said the woman. "But you're mistaken----" "'Scuse crossing your wire, but I don't think I _am_," said Mickey. "The only way you can know, is to have been there yourself. I don't think you got that kind of a start, or want it for kids of your own. My mother killed herself to keep me out of it, and if it had been so grand, she'd _wanted_ me there. Nix on the Orphings' Home talk. Lily ain't going to be raised in droves, nor flocks, nor herds! See? Lily's going to have a home of her own, and a man to take care of her by herself." Mickey backed away, swallowing a big lump in his throat, and blinking down angry tears. "'Smorning," he said, "I asked God to help me, and for a minute I was so glad, 'cause I thought He'd helped by sending _you_, so you could tell me how to do; but if God can't beat _you_, I can get along by myself." "You _can't_ take care of a girl by yourself," she insisted. "The _law_ won't allow you." "Oh can't I?" scoffed Mickey. "Well you're mistaken, 'cause I am! And getting along bully! You ought to seen her last night, and then this morning. Next time I yell for help, I won't ask to have anybody sent, I'll ask Him to help me save our souls, myself. Ever see that big, white, wonderful Jesus at the Cathedral door, ma'am, holding the little child in His arms so loving? I don't s'pose He stopped to ask whether it was a girl, or a boy, 'fore He took it up; He just opened his arms to the first _child_ that _needed_ Him. And if I remember right, He didn't say: 'Suffer little children to be sent to Orphings' Homes.' Mammy never read it to me _that_ way. It was suffer them to come to 'Me,' and be took up, and held tender. See? Nix on the Orphings' Home people. They ain't in my class. Beaucheous lady, adoo! Farewell! I depart!" Mickey wheeled, vanishing. It was a wonderful exhibition of curves, leaps, and darts. He paused for breath when he felt safe.