Page:The mislaid uncle (IA mislaiduncle00raym).pdf/119

 an orange they were pressed to have a second, and the boy frankly accepted, though the girl found more interest in this young companion than in eating.

"It makes a fellow terribly hungry to be out in the snow all morning, Mr. Smith. Seems as if I was always hungry, anyway. Grandma says I am, but I reckon she doesn't mind. Oh! I forgot. Why, she sent you a note. I never do remember things, somehow."

"Neither do I," said Josephine, with ready sympathy.

"You ought to, then. Girls ought to be a great deal better than boys," answered Michael.

"Why?"

"Oh, because. 'Cause they're girls, you know."

Uncle Joe looked up from reading the brief, courteous note and felt that that, added to the boy's own manner, made it safe for him to entrust his guest to Michael's care for a short time.

"Very well, Josephine. Mrs. Merriman, my neighbor, whom I know but slightly, yet is