178 J!^tnantu of tt|t ^vttu 



"From Mr. Peter — " Peter's face 

 fell. The endearing names of father and 

 mother he had never known. The alley 

 had been his home, and a box or barrel 

 his bed. Two great tears welled over 

 his eyelids and rolled down his cheek. 

 " Just Peter Nuthin'/' he sobbed. 



Aunt Ruth put her arms about him 

 and drew him into her maternal lap. 

 '' Don't cry/' she said, " I didn't think 

 when I asked you." 



" Now I'll just tell you what I am go- 

 ing to do. Ephraim and I have been 

 talking it over and we are about decided. 

 I am going to put it Peter White. 

 That's our name, and that means you 

 are to stay right here and be our boy as 

 long as you live." 



Peter thought his heart would burst 

 with joy when he fully understood it all, 

 but the lump in his throat was so large 



