"Oh-he is no care whatever, doctor; and I doubt whether the girls will consent to your taking him to a home-for a few days, at any rate. They think someone will call for him."

"But you haven't any clothes or other necessities for him, have you?"

asked the doctor.

"We didn't have at first, but Nolla and Polly ran to a department store on Fifth avenue-it's only a few blocks over, you know,-and bought him everything he needs. When he had his shoes on he stood up and began walking about while he held fast to the chairs. He certainly is a bright child."

"Well, the girls ought not to go silly over him. Buying clothes and shoes and everything-until they know who he is."

"If no one ever calls, Billy has to have clothes; anyway, we thought we ought to get them, now, instead of later."

"I can see, Mrs. Stewart, that you are as foolish about the baby, as the two girls are themselves," laughed Dr. Evans, as he took up his hat to depart.

Mrs. Stewart laughed, but the moment the doctor was out of the front door, she hurried upstairs to help dress the boy after his bath.

Once he was dressed in his new clothing, and had had a full cup of warm milk and gruel, he cuddled down for his nap.

"Now, no use talking! he is a wonder!" declared Eleanor.

"We can keep him, as well as not. He isn't one mite of trouble," added Polly.

Having waited until Billy was fast asleep, Mrs. Stewart tip-toed from the bedroom, beckoning the girls to follow her out.

The police-department had sent their detective to get all the facts from Eleanor and Polly, and the press had sent to find out if there was any other clue or information about the boy; then, no further interruptions took place that day.

The two girls sat out under the locust tree in the yard, because there they could hear the first whimper from Billy, when he awoke from his nap. As they sat there, they discussed his future.

"If no one ever calls for him, what _shall_ we do with him?' asked Polly, giving Eleanor a penetrating look.

"You've got something on your mind-what is it?" countered Eleanor.

"Yes, I have, but I want to hear what _you_ have to say."

"I'd love to keep him, Polly-at least as long as we are in New York. I suppose it would be impossible to take him abroad with us, next summer,"

returned Eleanor.

"Yes-impossible. And if we keep him with us, we will have to hire a nurse-maid, as poor Mrs. Stewart can't look after a lively youngster all day, while we are at school."

"What was your idea, then?" wondered Eleanor.

"Can't you guess, Nolla? And his name is Billy, too!"

For an instant Eleanor's face looked too surprised to allow her to speak. Then she stammered: "Well-of all things!"

"What do you make of it?" laughed Polly.

"Wonderful-but what is your plan?"

"Seeing his name is Billy, and his eyes are dark brown and his hair golden curls, and he is about sixteen months old-all of which are in his favor to advance my little scheme, I should say that we try to keep him a few weeks, right now, and see if we can add to Billy's winsome ways. Meanwhile, we will use every effort to find if he has any relatives; then should he be a veritable foundling, we will present him to dear Mr. Dalken for his very own."

"Splendiferous! Perfectly great!" cried Eleanor, slapping her friend on the back in her delight.

"We will quietly advertise for and select a fine elderly nurse for Billy, right off, and when we have him all ready to be given away, he will be a little wonder that no one can refuse."

"Oh, Mr. Dalken won't think of refusing him, I know! He will be so happy to have a boy again," Eleanor said, enthusiastically.

Several times during the day, the telephone rang and someone asked for a description of the baby. Also a number of wild looking people called at the address to have a look at the child, but all departed with forlorn hopes.

As that night was not a cla.s.s-evening, the girls were free to do as they liked with their time. Anne and her mother were amusing themselves, as much as the baby, by teaching him to say 'Billy.' Polly and Eleanor were eagerly watching results. But harshly upon this sweet scene, the door-bell jangled.

"I'll go!" called Eleanor, and in another minute she had opened the door.

"Oh, Mr. Fabian. Do come in and see our baby!"

Then another admirer joined the circle of worshippers around Billy's feet. Mr. Fabian had heard the story from Dr. Evans and dropped in to see if the boy was still with his friends.

"He is a dear little shaver, isn't he?" laughed Mr. Fabian. "But what will you do with him if no one claims him?"

"We really haven't thought of that," said Anne.

"I'm afraid, if we keep him here with us a week, or more, we won't want to give him up again," added Mrs. Stewart.

Mr. Fabian saw, from the corner of his eye, that Polly was behind him trying to draw his attention. So he managed to turn his head without attracting Anne's or Mrs. Stewart's attention, and saw the two girls shake their heads wisely, meantime their fingers rested upon their lips in sign of keeping silence.

Consequently no more was said, that evening, about Billy, and when Mr.

Fabian was ready to leave, Polly and Eleanor said they believed they would walk to the corner with their old friend. The baby had been in bed for some time, and Anne was busy writing ma.n.u.script, so no one objected to the proposal. Mrs. Stewart merely remarked: "Don't go any farther than the corner, dearies. And hurry right back home."

CHAPTER XVI-BILLY FINDS A FATHER

The moment the two girls had Mr. Fabian outside of the Studio, where they could talk in perfect freedom, they told him of their secret plan.

"We are going to keep the baby for a few weeks and see that he is perfectly trained, then we are going to present him to dear Mr. Dalken,"

began Polly, eagerly.

"Oh, but we will try and find a sensible woman who will take all care of him, and Mr. Dalken can enjoy Billy when he is at home with nothing else to do," added Eleanor.

Mr. Fabian was speechless, then he smiled. "Does our friend know about this?"

"Mercy sakes, no! We want to surprise him. We thought it would be fine, if we could keep the baby that long, to leave him at Mr. Dalken's apartment on Thanksgiving morning," returned Polly.

"Don't you think he would like that?" from Eleanor, eagerly.

"Mr. Dalken is now out west on important business, so of course, he doesn't know a thing about Billy, unless he read about it in the New York papers," remarked Mr. Fabian, thoughtfully. "I don't suppose he will take time to glance over every news item in the papers, as he is too preoccupied, at present, with the financial pages."

"Well, what has that to do with our plan?" asked Eleanor.