Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/17

Rh Daddy's stepchild—at least I was." Again the pocket was found and the mourning bordered handkerchief brought into play. "And I was papa's stepchild and then mamma's."

"Daddy and I weren't much like steps, though. He wasn't a bit particular and neither was I, so we got along something scrumptious. Of course Daddy had a few rules of conduct, and I tried not to break them, unless it seemed wisest. He used to tell me to use my judgment about such matters. You see Daddy was an individualist, and he believed in everybody's living his own life."

"I see!" said Philip. "But what were the few rules?"

"One of them was, I must watch the traffic cop and wait till he gave the signal before I crossed the street."

"A good rule of conduct," laughed the young man. "And another rule was that I mustn't sass old people until they first sassed me."

"Excellent!"

"One reason Daddy was so inclined to feel that I must work out my own destiny—that is the way he put it—was that he and I were so terribly far removed as far as blood went, but we got along just fine. Would you like to