Peewee's pulse beat quickened. Was it possible that Beman meant that Mrs. Markyn might adopt him?
"Who?" he asked.
"Mrs. Cord."
Peewee shook his head angrily in his disappointment. He recalled the picture in the bedroom upstairs. Mrs. Cord was a pretty lady, but he had no wish to be adopted by someone whom he did not know.
"The proposition doesn't interest you?"
"No, sir," said Peewee.
"You're willing to stay here for a while now though, ain't you?"
"Yes, sir."
The question was apparently a dismissal. Peewee backed to the door, and, as Beman made no motion to detain him, then backed on out. He heard Beman's voice in some unintelligible conversation with the "flat-foot," who presently went away. Then he sat by the front window, where he could see Mrs. Markyn if she came, considering what Beman had said to him. Adoption, it was clear, did not make the person
