"I ain't right sorryful, Andy," she answered. "I was jest thinkin' of all the good things Mr. Young air done for me, an' hopin' he'd get you free, too. Mebbe when Spring comes, Andy, you can run in the woods with me!" "I air prayin' for it every day, kid." "When you ain't afeered of Auburn any more," said the girl, after a moment's silence, "we'll go away from this shanty, an' mebbe we can both work. That'd be nice, eh, Andy?" "Anything'd be nice if I air with you, an' the baby, brat," he choked. "Oh, you'll stay with us all right," smiled Tessibel. "Daddy left me to take care of you an' I air goin' to do it!" Conversation lagged for a time. The dwarf poured out a cup of tea, and placed a large slice of bread on a plate with some potatoes and meat. These he took to the bedside. "I don't know what we'd a done without Jake," he observed, drawing his chair to the table. Tess was beginning to eat a late dinner. Between bites she smilingly assented. "Jake air a awful good man.... Andy, ain't the baby stirrin' on the chair?" The dwarf went to the improvised cradle and carefully drew away the blanket. "He wants turnin' on 'is other side, that air all." With deft fingers he rolled the baby boy over, placed the sugar rag between the twisting lips, and went back to his dinner. "Jake was tellin' me this morning," she continued, "Sandy Letts got three years and a half in Auburn." "That'll be dreadful for him," the little man responded, thinking of his lonely years in prison. "But body-snatchin' air an awful thing. Reckon he won't try it again when he gets out.... Eh, kid?" "At any rate, he won't be after us for a while," she replied, sighing contentedly. "Well, I must slick up a bit," Andy announced presently. "I want to get the shanty fixed. Young'd think I weren't doin' right by ye, if 'tain't red up, brat." "When I tell him all ye've done," she smiled affectionately, "I bet he'll be praisin' ye." Then they were silent until the little man'd gathered and washed the few dishes. CHAPTER XXXVII THE NEW HOME WHEN Professor Young arrived at the end of the lane near the Skinner's shack, he dismounted, blanketed the horse and hitched him to the fence. The approach to the hut had been shovelled recently and the snow was banked high on either side. He hurried along the path and knocked at the door. A stir in the shanty told the lawyer the dwarf was seeking the attic. After an instant of quiet, he heard Tessibel's voice. "Who air there?" The man's nerves throbbed quick response to the clear young tones that came sure and strong through the shack boards. "It's I, Tessibel," he answered.