* * * * *
Flukey mechanically stooped to obey, while Flea captured Squeaky and tucked the suckling under her arm just as Shellington opened the door to admit his guests. When Flea lifted her embarrassed gaze to the strangers, she saw the same face that had peered at her over Horace's shoulder at the Dryden fair, the face to which Screech Owl had made her silent appeal. A graceful girl followed, whose eyes expressed astonishment as Horace spoke.
"These are my young friends, you will remember, Everett, from the fair, Flea and Flukey Cronk." Turning his misty eyes upon the children he continued, "This is Mr. Brimbecomb, and Miss Katherine Vandecar, Governor Vandecar's niece."
He went through this introduction to gain control of his feelings.
"They have changed their minds, Everett, and have brought me the pig," he exclaimed. "It was kind of you, child!"
He had almost said "boy"; but, remembering the admission Flea had made, he gazed straight at her, watching with growing interest the changes that passed over the young face.
"You see," he hurried on nervously, "they found out where I lived, and thought I might still want the pig--"
Ann Shellington admonishingly touched her brother's arm. "Horace!" she urged; but he stopped her with a gesture.
"I think it mighty nice of them to come all the way from Dryden with a pig--on my soul, I do, Ann!"
Taking a silver case from his pocket, he extracted a cigarette from it, while directing his attention to Flea.
"I want it now as much as I did then; but I don't believe that I shall ever roast and eat him."
Flea searched the speaker's face fearfully, her eyes lustrous with melting tenderness. He had promised her that Squeaky should live; but was he going to send Flukey away? It was slow torture, this waiting for his verdict, each second measured full to the brim, each minute more agonizing than the last.
Horace Shellington was speaking again. "You see, Katherine," he said, turning to the younger girl, "I know this puzzles you; but these two youngsters won the pig at the fair, and I tried to buy it of them for a roast. Just at that time this little--chap--" he motioned toward Flea, "didn't want to part with it. He's changed his mind. You see the pig is here."
Miss Shellington did not supplement her brother's statement; but the tall stranger with the brilliant eyes gazed dubiously at the table and then down into Flea's face.