The half-orphan

Puzzle

Accompanied by Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective, I dropped into Dauber's studio one morning and found that talented young artist putting the finishing touches to a bit of canvas. He welcomed us effusively and exclaimed: You are just the fellows I want. Here is an odd thing I have just finished for the exhibition, and am so bothered for an appropriate name thatI will give a prize for the best suggestion. "It would be like robbing you to take the money, said Sherlock, the piece has its name written all over it, as any one with half an eye can see. It is a sketch from life which you have picked up on your travels. The father has just died, so, if it were not vulgar to pun, I should say the child's loss was aparent. The gay young widow contemplates marrying again, and the child is neglected and objects, and that is where the trouble begins. That, as well as many other points as plain as the nose on your face, are too simple to mention. It would be too commonplace to suggest that the child is crying over spilled milk, for his grief is deeper rooted than that. The only question worth discussing is to tell what the kid is kicking about, so I suggest it be called the half orphan, and for the best answers to that conundrum, it might be interesting to offer some valuable prizes. The picture carried off the honors of the exhibition of course, and is now quite noted for having brought fame and fortune to the artist. The name Half-Orphan in itself was a happy hit, which the public for some inexplicable reason seems to have interpreted as being singularly appropriate. Although outside of the three persons who were present at the christening, not a living mortal knows why it was so called, the solvers who now carry off the honors of this little competition will unravel one of Sherlock Holmes' characteristic mysteries. Don't miss the point of the query: What is the poor little half orphan kicking about?

Puzzle in short

What is the poor little half orphan kicking about?

Answer

References

• Loyd, Sam [1914]. in Loyd, Sam, Jr.: Sam Loyd's Cyclopedia of 5000 Puzzles Tricks and Conundrums (in English). New York: Lamb Publishing company, page 33.