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Bobbie slipped to the floor and raised his hands. "Jinnie, pretty Jinnie. I'm goin' to believe every word you've said, every word, and my stars're all shinin' so bright they're just like them in the sky." Jinnie kissed the eager little face and left the child sitting on the floor, crooning contentedly to Happy Pete.
Bobbie stumbled his unseeing way to her and shoved a small, cold hand into hers. "Jinnie's sad," he murmured. "Bobbie's stars're blinkin' out." Mrs. Grandoken and Jinnie had come to an understanding that Bobbie should not know of the cobbler's trouble, so the strong fingers closed over the little ones, but the girl did not speak.
Good Peggy, let me stay!" he moaned, swaying. "I'm so tired, s'awful tired. I can't find my mother, nor no place, and my stars're all out!" Sobbing plaintively, he sank to the floor, and there the childish heart laid bare its misery.
She could lovingly deceive him no longer. How the little body trembled! How the fluttering hands sought her aid in vain! "My stars're all gone, Jinnie," sobbed Bobbie. "My beautiful stars! I can't see any of 'em if I try. I'm awful 'fraid, honey dear. It's so dark." Jinnie tightened her arms about him, racking her brain for soothing words.
"Lay your head on my arm." And this time he snuggled to her till the blind eyes and the pursed delicate mouth were hidden against her arm. "I told you, Bobbie," Jinnie resumed presently, "I'd let you be Lafe's little boy, didn't I?" "Yes, girl," replied the boy, sleepily. "Now wasn't that awful good of me?" "Awful good," was the dreamy answer. "My stars're glory bright now."
She only said: "'Twasn't your fault, miss, that you ain't almost dead yourself.... I'll get a dish with some water.... You need it as much as the cat." It was Bobbie who brought from Peggy a fierce ejaculation. He was standing in the middle of the floor with fluttering hands, a woebegone expression on his upturned face. "My stars're goin' out," he whimpered. "I want to touch my Jinnie."
Then, as he leaned his golden head against his friend, Lafe's arm fell about him. "Tell me, laddie," insisted Mr. Grandoken. "My stars're all gone out," faltered the boy sadly. "What made 'em go out, Bob?... Can you tell?" "Yes," blubbered Bobbie. "I guess Jinnie's sick, that's what's the matter." "Sick?" asked Lafe, in a startled voice. "Who said so?... Did she?" Bobbie shook his head.
Jinnie stooped and smothered Bobbie with caresses. With his arms tightly about her neck, he purred contentedly, "My stars're all shinin' bright, Jinnie." "Kiss me, both of you kids!" was all Lafe said. Jinnie looked very sweet when she bade farewell to Peg and Lafe the next morning. Mr.
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