Only one incident occurred to break the monotony of the curious procession.

As Kentuck bent over the candle-box half curiously, the child turned, and, in a spasm of pain, caught at his groping finger, and held it fast for a moment.

Kentuck looked foolish and embarrassed.
Something like a blush tried to assert itself in his weather-beaten cheek.

"The damned little cuss!" he said, as he extricated his finger, with perhaps more tenderness and care than he might have been deemed capable of showing.

He held that finger a little apart from its fellows as he went out, and examined it curiously.