He regarded babies with an open mind, as it were, for the opinions of his sister still had some weight with him, she being a year and a half older than he, but babies invariably disappointed him, their capabilities being so restricted.

To be sure, they could make quite a noise, and the painter was said to imitate it, but since Joe had learned that they couldn't bite he had begun to lose respect for them.
Still, not knowing what might happen, he always took a look at every baby.
The children were lifted out of the wagon to stretch their legs at sloughs and houses.

They were sure to be close behind the legs of their father when he stood at a stranger's door.

Then, the night being near, they were always invited to put their horses in the barn and tarry until next morning.

This was due in part to the kindly look and voice of Samson, but mostly to the wistful faces of the little children--a fact unsuspected by their parents.