Page:Burnett - Two Little Pilgrims' Progress A Story of the City Beautiful.djvu/182

162 about and tell him stories. Suppose you take me!"

"You!" Meg exclaimed. "But you're a man, and you know all about it, I daresay—and I only tell things I make up—fairy stories and—and other things. A man wouldn't care for them. He—he knows."

"He knows too much perhaps—that's the trouble," said the man. "A fairy or so might do me good. I'm not acquainted enough with them. And if I know things you don't—perhaps that's what I have to give to you."

"Why!" said Meg, her eyes widening as she looked up at his odd, clever face, "do you want to go about with us?"

"Yes," said the man, with a quick, decided nod, "I believe that's just what I want to do. I'm lonelier than you two. At least you are together. Come on, children," but it was to Meg he held out his hand. "Take me with you."

And bewildered as she was, Meg found herself giving her hand to him and being led away, Robin and Ben close beside them.