Page:The Floating Prince - Frank R Stockton.djvu/190

Rh Laub's door, she seized him by the coat. "Stop—sir, please," she said, scarcely able to speak, she was so out of breath. The man turned and looked at her. He was a very short man, indeed, for he scarcely reached to Loris' waist. "What do you want?" he said, looking up at her.

"Oh, sir!" she gasped, "you came to our house first,—and I came to the door—almost as quick as I could—and if it's any work—father wants work—ever so bad." "Yes," said the short man, "but Laub wants work too. He is very poor."

"Yes, sir," said Loris, "but—but you came for father first."

"True," said the short man, "but nobody answered my knock, and now I am here. Laub has four young children, and sometimes they have nothing to eat. It is never so bad with you, is it?"

"No, sir," said Loris.

"Your father has work sometimes, is it not so?"

"Yes, sir," answered Loris.

"Laub is often without work for weeks, and he has four children. Shall I go back with you, or knock here?"

"Knock," said Loris softly.

The short man knocked at the door, and instantly, there was heard a great scuffling and hubbub within. Shortly all was quiet, and then a voice said, "Come in."

"He did not wait so long for me," thought Loris.

The short man opened the door, and went in, Loris following him. In a bed, in the corner of the room, were four children; their heads just appearing above a torn sheet which was pulled up to their chins.

"Hello! what's the matter?" said the short man, advancing to the bed.