The men saw the wistfulness increase in the baby's face.
"We've got to keep him amused," said Field.
The awkward fellows, therefore, began the games, and romped about, and
rode the lonely little foundling in the wagon, to the great delight of
poor Miss Doc, who felt, as much as the pup or Skeezucks, the singular
emptiness of her house.
Having learned to laugh, little Carson tried to repeat the delights of
a mirthful emotion. The faint baby smile that resulted made the men
all quiet and sober.
"He's tired, that's what the matter," the blacksmith explained. "We'd
better be goin', boys, and come to see him to-morrow."
"Of course he must be tired," agreed the teamster.
But Jim, sitting silently watching, and the fond Miss Doc, whom nothing
concerning the child escaped, knew better. It was not, however, till
the boys were gone and silence had settled on the house that even Jim
was made aware of the all that the tiny mite of a man was undergoing.
Miss Doc had gone to the kitchen. Jim, Tintoretto, and little
Skeezucks were alone. The little fellow and the pup were standing in
the centre of the floor, intently listening. Together they went to the
door. There little Carson stretched his tiny arms across the panels in
baby appeal.
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