He stood, and held the child
without a word. But when I explained the whole affair to him, he
comprehended it perfectly, and was delighted. I think he was just
as anxious for my plan to work as I was myself, although he did not
say so.
I was about to take the child into the house, when Jonas remarked
that it was barefooted.
"That won't do," I said. "It certainly had socks on, when I got
it. I saw them."
"Here they are," said Jonas, fishing them out from the shawl, "he's
kicked them off."
"Well, we must put them on," I said, "it won't do to take him in,
that way. You hold him."
So Jonas sat down on the feed-box, and carefully taking little Pat,
he held him horizontally, firmly pressed between his hands and
knees, with his feet stuck out toward me, while I knelt down before
him and tried to put on the little socks. But the socks were knit
or worked very loosely, and there seemed to be a good many small
holes in them, so that Pat's funny little toes, which he kept
curling up and uncurling, were continually making their appearance
in unexpected places through the sock. But, after a great deal of
trouble, I got them both on, with the heels in about the right
places.
"Now they ought to be tied on," I said, "Where are his garters?"
"I don't believe babies have garters," said Jonas, doubtfully, "but
I could rig him up a pair."
"No," said I; "we wont take the time for that. I'll hold his legs
apart, as I carry him in.
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