I worked in Upton years ago , and there were n't any Bensons there then . There 's more behind that he has n't told . I 'd find out what it was before I took him into my house , that 's all . But I 'm not prejudiced . '' `` Well , well , '' said Miss Salome soothingly , `` we must do the best we can for him . It 's a sort of duty . And as for a room for him -- why , I 'll put him in Johnny 's . '' Clemantiny opened her mouth and shut it again . She understood that it would be a waste of breath to say anything more . If Miss Salome had made up her mind to put this freckled , determined-looking waif , dropped on her doorstep from heaven knew where , into Johnny 's room , that was an end of the matter . `` But I 'll not be surprised at anything after this , '' she muttered as she carried her dishes into the pantry . `` First a skinny little urchin goes and faints on her doorstep . Then she hires him and puts him in Johnny 's room . Johnny 's room ! Salome Whitney , what do you mean ? '' Perhaps Miss Salome hardly knew what she meant . But somehow her heart went out warmly to this boy . In spite of Clemantiny 's sniffs , she held to the opinion that he looked like Johnny . Johnny was a little nephew of hers . She had taken him to bring up when his parents died , and she had loved him very dearly .
He had died four years ago , and since that time the little front XXXXX over the front porch had never been occupied .
Miss anything boy dishes doorstep heart house pantry parents room