Signaling
Frances to follow, he swaggered pompously behind Billy and
he, too, held out a short, fat hand to the minister.
The speaker smiled benignly down upon them; lifting them up
in his arms he stood the little boys upon the table. He
thought the touching sight of these innocent and tender
little orphans would empty the pockets of the audience.
Billy turned red with embarrassment at his conspicuous
position, while Jimmy grinned happily at the amused
congregation. Horrified Miss Minerva half rose to her feet,
but decided to remain where she was. She was a timid woman
and did not know what course she ought to pursue. Besides,
she had just caught the Major's smile.
"And how long have you been an orphan?" the preacher was
asking of Billy.
"Ever sence me an' Wilkes Booth Lincoln's born," sweetly
responded the child.
"I 'bout the orphantest boy they is," volunteered Jimmy.
Frances, responding to the latter's invitation, had crawled
over her father's legs before he realized what was happening.
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