"Always," he
said briefly, "but, then, there's always folks to give."
"Rather," exclaimed Judy with enthusiasm, and Tim added eagerly, "I
should think so."
They seemed to know all about him, then. Something had entered with
him that made common stock of the five of them. It was wonderful of
Uncle Felix to have known all this beforehand.
"We're all alive together," murmured the Tramp below his breath, and
then Uncle Felix showed another stroke of genius. "We'll make tea out
here to-day," he said, "instead of having it indoors. Tim, you run and
fetch a tea-pot, a bottle of milk, and some cups and a kettle full of
water; put some sugar in your pockets and bring a loaf and butter and
a pot of jam. A basket will hold the lot. And while you're gone we'll
get the fire going."
"A big knife and some spoons too," Judy cried after his disappearing
figure, "and don't let Aunt Emily see you, mind."
The Tramp looked up sharply. "I had an Aunt Emily once," he said
behind his hedged-in face. Expecting more to follow, the others
waited; but nothing came. There was a little pause.
"Once?" asked Maria, wondering perhaps if there were two such beings
in the world at the same time.
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