Keith warmed to the boy.
"Phrony is a lot older than you," he said consolingly.
"No, she ain't; we are just of an age; and if she was I wouldn't keer.
I'm goin' away." Keith had to interpose his refusal to take him in such a case.

He said, however, that if he could obtain his father's consent, as soon as he got settled he would send for him.

On the basis of this compromise the boy went home..