Splash went up to the strange boy, rubbed his cold, wet nose on the boy’s legs, and then Splash began to wag his tail.

“See, he likes you,” said Sue.  “He’s going to be in our show; Splash is.  He’s going to be half a blue-striped tiger when we have our circus.”

“Circus!” cried the strange boy.  “Is—­is there a circus around here?” and he seemed much surprised, even frightened, Bunny thought afterward.

“No, there isn’t any circus,” said Grandpa Brown.  “It’s only a make-believe one the children are getting up.  But we musn’t keep you standing here talking when you’re half starved.  Get him something to eat, Mother.  The idea of being afraid to go to a house and ask for something!” said Grandpa Brown, in a low voice.

“That shows he isn’t a regular tramp; doesn’t it?” asked Mother Brown.

“I should say so—­yes,” answered grandpa.  “But there is something queer about that boy.”

By this time Grandmother Brown had gone into the kitchen.  She told the strange boy to follow her, and soon she had set out in front of him some bread and butter, a plate of cold meat and a big bowl of cool, rich, creamy milk.

“Now you just eat all you want,” said Grandma Brown, kindly.

Bunny and Sue had come out into the kitchen, and they now stood staring at the strange boy.  He had a pleasant face, though, just now, it looked pale, and all pinched up from hunger, like a rubber ball that hasn’t any air in it.

The boy looked around the kitchen, as though he did not know just what to do.  In his hand he held a ragged cap he had taken off his head when he came in.

“Did you want something?” asked Grandma Brown.

“I—­I was looking for a place to hang my hat.  And then I’d like to wash.  I’m all dust and dirt.”

Grandma Brown smiled.  She was pleased—­Bunny and Sue could see that—­for Grandma Brown liked clean and neat boys and girls who hung up their hats and bonnets, and washed their faces and hands, without being told to do so.

“Hang your cap over on that nail,” said Grandpa Brown, pointing to one behind the stove.  “And you can wash at the sink to-night.  Now you two tots had better go to bed!” grandpa went on, as he saw Bunny and Sue standing with their backs against the wall, watching the strange boy.

“We—­we want to stay and see him eat,” objected Sue.

The boy smiled, and Mrs. Brown laughed.

“This isn’t a circus, where you watch the animals eat,” she said.  “You come along with me, and, when this young man has finished his supper, you can see him again.”

“Oh, but—­if you please—­you’re very good.  But after I eat this nice meal I’ll—­I’ll be going on,” said the boy.

“No you’ll not!” said Grandpa Brown.  “You’ll just stay here all night.  We can put you up.  I think it’s going to storm.  You don’t want to be out in the rain?”

“Oh, that’s very good of you,” the boy said, “But I don’t want to be a trouble to you.”