acquaintances.

The course of Budge's interview with Mrs. Mayton was afterward
related by that lady, as follows:--She was sitting in her own room
(which was on the parlor-floor, and in the rear of the house), and
was leisurely reading "Fated to be Free," when she accidentally
dropped her glasses. Stooping to pick them up, she became aware
that she was not alone. A small, very dirty, but good-featured boy
stood before her, his hands behind his back, and an inquiring look
in his eyes.

"Run away, little boy," said she. "Don't you know it isn't polite
to enter rooms without knocking?"

"I'm lookin' for my uncle," said Budge, in most melodious accents,
"an' the other ladies said you would know when he would come
back."

"I'm afraid they were making fun of you--or me," said the old
lady, a little severely. "I don't know anything about little boys'
uncles. Now run away, and don't disturb me any more."

"Well," continued Budge, "they said your little girl went with
him, and you'd know when SHE would come back."

"I haven't any little girl," said the old lady, her indignation,
at a supposed joke, threatening to overcome her dignity. "Now, go
away."

"She isn't a VERY little girl," said Budge, honestly anxious to