"Ben!" His mother looked up reproachfully into the young fellow's happy eyes. "Why did you need to risk your life again--"
"Oh, not a bit of that," laughed Ben. "I picked Pete out of a grocery store--"
"Where is she, Master?" The voice of the boy was pleading again.
"Pete was a good friend to Miss Melody, the only one she had, and now his reward is going to be to see her."
"You don't mean," exclaimed Mrs. Barry, "that you have spent a couple of days to get this boy and dress him up in order to allow him to see Miss Melody?"
"No, not exactly. I kidnapped him as an information bureau."
"Why can't you let that disgusting farmer alone?" asked the lady despairingly.
"Because if I do, he won't let us alone," returned Ben shortly. "Well, now, we've shown ourselves to you and we'll be off to keep my word to Pete. Hop in, boy."
Miss Upton and Geraldine had reached home, hatbox and all, and were in the dismantled shop answering Charlotte's questions when they heard an automobile stop before the door and a cheery whistle sounded. The repellent shades were still down at the windows.
"That's Ben Barry!" exclaimed Miss Mehitable. "Don't you dare to touch that hat!" she added severely to Geraldine, whose cheeks flushed deeply as a tattoo began on the locked door.
So the girl was standing in the middle of the room wearing the droopy hat when Ben came in, followed by the dwarf at whom Miss Mehitable and Charlotte stared.
Geraldine forgot her hat, and Ben Barry--forgot everything but the eager adoration in the face of the transformed slave. "Why, Pete, Pete!" she cried joyously, running to meet him.
The boy bit his lips to keep back the tears and his clumsy fingers worked nervously as his goddess rested both her hands on his shoulders. He couldn't speak, but gazed and gazed up into the eyes under the droopy hat.
Ben Barry, his arms folded, looked on at the tableau while Geraldine murmured welcome and reassurance.
"Aren't we the happiest people in the world, Pete?" she finished softly.
He choked. "Yes, and I'm not going back," he was able to say at last.
"I should say not," put in Ben. "I've brought somebody to help you move, Mehit," he added. Miss Upton was still staring at the dwarf's legs.
"That's fine," said Geraldine. "Pete is just the right one for us."