David stared in disbelief as he came up the stairs into the newsies room. Jack was walking Petey back and forth across the bedroom floor, trying to get him to sleep. He scowled as David started laughing. "What's so funny?" he asked, "Haven't you ever seen a baby before?"

David tried to control his mirth as he walked across the room to Jack. "Sure, but not in the arms of Jack Kelly."

"What should I do with him?" Jack asked, laying the now sleeping Petey down on his bed. "I mean, Kloppman says he can't stay here, and there's no way I'm turning him into the Home."

David shook his head, "Jack Kelly adopted a baby!" He chuckled, "I didn't believe Mush when he told me this morning, but when Crutchy and Blink said the same thing, I had to come see for myself."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "Well, now you see him. Will you be quiet so he doesn't wake up?" He muttered angrily.

Then, seeming to lose his anger, he dropped down on a nearby bunk and put his head in his hands. "The kid hardly slept." He said through a yawn.

David sat down next to him. "So, what are you planning to do?"

Jack shrugged. "I dunno. Any suggestions from the Walking Mouth?"

The two boys sat in silence for a long time. David finally looked over at Jack and found him dozing against the bedpost. "Jack!" he shook him and Jack awoke with a start. Shaking his head, he said groggily, "Sorry Dave, didn't mean to go off like that."

David laughed again, and, shaking his head, rose from the bed. "Well, I gotta go now, I just stopped by to see you-and the baby."

"Yeah, well, thanks." Jack said sarcastically, rubbing his eyes.

David departed and Jack was left once more alone with the baby, wondering what in the world he was going to do.

..............................................

It was late that afternoon when Jack was again surprised by a visitor. This time it was Sarah and her mother.

"David told us about Petey." Sarah said, kneeling on the floor where Petey was. "We wanted to see him. I hope you don't mind us coming here." she added, looking up at Jack.

"Naw. I don't mind." Jack said with a grin. "What should I do with him?" he asked anxiously, looking at the two women in hopes of an answer.

"Well, I don't know, Jack." Said Sarah's mother.

"Why couldn't we take him?" Sarah said suddenly from her position on the floor.

Jack's head spun around to the mother, who bit her lip, thinking. "I don't know what your father would say about that." she said. "But, then again, he always does want to help those in need. I suppose we could take him for a couple of days anyway." She finished decisively.

Jack broke into a wide grin and Sarah smiled as she picked up the baby. For the time, all was well, but only for a time.