But your small friend, Hugh, fills a long vacant spot.

I could almost fancy he belonged there, he seems so like----" Deacon Winslow must have seen that his wife was getting on forbidden ground, for just at that moment he broke in with a question that demanded an answer from Hugh; and so the subject was dropped.

But Hugh understood, and he felt his boyish heart throb with genuine sympathy for this splendid couple, who had yearned to have a house full of children, but somehow found their dearest wish set aside by a mysterious decree of Providence.
They had a merry time at the table.

Little Joey was as bright as Hugh had ever known him to be, and fairly captivated the aged pair with his prattle.

The old lady in particular hung upon his every word, as though in an ecstacy of delight.