Grandmother Ruth thought that their _padrone_ might trace them and appear on the scene.
Several days more passed; and then the old Squire, having business at Portland, decided to take them with him.

He intended to find this Neapolitan _padrone_ and try to secure better treatment for the boys in the future.
Addison drove them to the railway station, where the old Squire checked their empty image "rafts" in the baggage car.

Before they left the old farm, first Emilio and then Tomaso took grandmother Ruth's hand very prettily and said, with deep feeling, "_Vi ringrazio_," several times, and managed to add "Tank you." After his return from Portland the old Squire told us that he had gone with the lads to the place where they lodged and had taken an officer with him.

They found the _padrone_ in a basement, engaged in casting more images.

At first the Italian was very angry; but partly by persuasion, partly by putting the fear of the law into his heart, they made him promise not to send his boys out again until May.
The old Squire also enlisted the sympathies of two women in Portland, who undertook to see that the boys were better housed and cared for in the future.