Page:The mislaid uncle (IA mislaiduncle00raym).pdf/132

 Josephine might have echoed, "My throat! my throat!" but she disdained any such outcry. Her lip curled in a fine scorn, and at sight of the grimace he made she laughed outright. Laughed foolishly, convulsively, began to cry, and with a little wail of "Mamma! Mamma!" ran out of the room.

Old Peter followed, saw that her room was made warm, prepared her bath, helped her to lay out clean, dry clothing, and left her, with the consoling remark:

"Don't you never mind Massa Joe when he's gouty. Men-folks ain't done got the gumption little gells has to keep their mouth shut and not groan. Groanin' lets a powerful lot of bad temper outen gouty people, missy, and don't you mind, honey. Just you call on me for what you'se needin' and everything will all come right. Now fix yourself up pretty and come laughin' down the stairs, like you done last night, and see what'll happen."

Josephine was comforted. The hot bath did make her feel all right, and the pretty frock she had selected reminded her quite happily of