He saw that she was badly teased, and the spirit of mischief led him on. "Now _I'd_ like to stay with you always, myself." She looked as though she would annihilate him. "And what is more, I'd like to change places with Bobbie this very minute." She rose suddenly, but with some effort, for the child was stout and heavy for his years. "What are you going to do?" he asked, looking admiringly upon Bobbie. "I'm going to carry him home." "How cruel to Bobbie!" he said, stepping near her and extending his arms for the child. "Let _me_ carry him, do." "I can carry him myself, thank you," she said, with a sudden air of independence. Again she saw his look of amusement, and struggled with her heavy load, knowing full well that she could not carry him far. "No, you must not carry him," he said firmly. "He is too heavy for you." And without more ado, he took Bobbie from her arms. "Come," he said amicably, "we'll both take him home--to Mrs. Carmichael's." So on they trudged. Bobbie roused a moment, but seeing a familiar face, he reached up his grimy hand and patted the bronzed cheeks, then cuddled comfortably into the strong arms. "So Bobbie wanted to stay with you," he was saying. "Yes, he calls me mither, you know." "_I'd_ like to call you 'mither' myself some day. It's a beautiful name." She felt provoked with herself. Why in the world had she made that unfortunate remark? "You love children, don't you?" He was not smiling now. "Oh, yes; from my childhood up I have loved every child I have seen." "I see." But at this juncture Bobbie again roused, rubbed his eyes and demanded to be put down. So Kenneth set him on his feet. The little lad stood in sleepy bewilderment a moment, then with an engaging smile, offered one hand to Esther, and the other to Kenneth. He began to chatter. "Bobbie loves his mither." "So do I," responded Kenneth. Esther bit her lip. She would not look up. But she felt her cheeks flush. "Mr. Kenneth love Bobbie's mither?" Kenneth laughed, a free, happy laugh. It was contagious, and the child laughed too. So did Esther in spite of herself. "Mr. Kenneth tan't love Bobbie's mither." "Can't, eh?" Again the happy laugh. "Who says I can't?" "I do, his adopted mother," said the girl, demurely. "I'll just capture you the way Bobbie did, and you can't help yourself." And again the stern eyes that seldom smiled, were filled with laughter. Esther suddenly stopped. "_I_ can take Bobbie home." "So can I," he said carelessly, with a suggestion of laughter still in his voice. "I command you, Mr. Persistency, to turn about and leave me to take Bobbie home." "I refuse to obey, Miss Obstinacy." A low chuckle. "I suppose I'll have to endure you, then," she said, with mock seriousness.