They wanted more help, to be sure, had been looking out for a boy that very day, but not such a one as Bob,--that was out of the question; and yet--Bob's mother was dead! In his rude, careless way, Bob had loved his mother rather better than he had any one else, and Edward did not doubt that he felt badly.

He was without friends now; surely he needed one if he ever did.

But it was _so_ disagreeable to think of having him there,--he was so different from any of the others, and he would call _him_ Tip, and be always around in his way; would seem to lead him back to the old life from which he thought he had escaped altogether.

It was not to be thought of for a moment.

But then--and now came a startling thought.