"Your forehead's smooth, too," he mused. "Your eyes are big, and the lashes round 'em 're long. You're much prettier'n your dog, but then girls 're always pretty." A flush of pleased vanity reddened Jinnie's skin to the tips of her ears, and she scrambled to her feet. Then she paused, a solemn expression shadowing her eyes. "Bobbie," she spoke soberly, "now I found you, you belong to me, don't you?" Bobbie thrust forth his hands. "Yes, yes," he breathed. "Then from now on, from this minute, I'm going to work for you." Jinnie's thoughts were on the shortwood strap, but she didn't mention it. Oh, how she would work for money to give Peg with which to buy food! How happy she would be in the absolute ownership of the boy she had discovered in the hills! Tenderly she drew him to her. He seemed so pitifully helpless. "How old 're you?" she demanded. "Nine years old." "You don't look over five," said Jinnie, surprised. "That's because I'm always sick," explained the boy. Jinnie threw up her head. "Well, a girl sixteen ought to be able to help an awful little boy, oughtn't she?... Here, I'll put my arm round you, right like this." But the boy made a backward step, so that Jinnie, thinking he was about to fall, caught him sharply by the arm. "I'll walk if you'll _lead_ me," Bobbie explained proudly. Thus rebuffed, Jinnie turned the blind face toward the east, and together they made their way slowly to the plank walk. CHAPTER XIV "HE'S COME TO LIVE WITH US, PEGGY" They trailed along in silence, the girl watching the birds as flock after flock disappeared in the north woods. Now and then, when Jinnie looked at the boy, she felt the pride which comes only with possession. She was going to work for him, to intercede with Peg, to allow the foundling to join that precious home circle where the cobbler and his wife reigned supreme. As they reached the plank walk, the boy lagged back. "I'm tired, girl," he panted. "I've walked till I'm just near dead." He cried quietly as Jinnie led him into the shadow of a tree. "Sit here with me," she invited. "Lay your head on my arm." And this time he snuggled to her till the blind eyes and the pursed delicate mouth were hidden against her arm. "I told you, Bobbie," Jinnie resumed presently, "I'd let you be Lafe's little boy, didn't I?" "Yes, girl," replied the boy, sleepily. "Now wasn't that awful good of me?" "Awful good," was the dreamy answer. "My stars're glory bright now." "And most likely Lafe'll help you see with your eyes, just like Happy Pete and me!" Jinnie went on eagerly. "All the trees and hundreds of birds, some of 'em yellow and some of 'em red, an' some of 'em so little and cunning they could jump through the knothole in Peg's kitchen.... Don't you wish to see all that?" The small face brightened and the unseeing eyes flashed upward. "I'd find my mother, then," breathed Bobbie.