Page:The mislaid uncle (IA mislaiduncle00raym).pdf/146

 I such a thing? But I will. Though I wonder if I am quite right in my mind. The idea of one small child upsetting two such households, all for the sake of a sled-ride! Hmm. Hmm. Peter! Here, Peter. I'm for bed at breakfast time! After an hour or two of rest I'll set about finding that mislaid Joseph Smith and hand over to him this little-too-absorbing responsibility. Thank God, boy, that she did not die."

"Aye, Massa Joe. I'se been a-thinkin' of him the whole endurin' night. Powerful queer, ain't it? Just such a little speck of while, and now seems if that little missy worth more to old Peter than the whole universe. Yes, suh, the whole universe!"

"Much you know about the universe, boy. There, there! Take care that foot. If you set it aching again—Ouch!"

It was not one but many hours that Mr. Smith slept, worn out by his late physical suffering and his anxiety of the last night. When he woke his first inquiry was for Josephine.