Page:The mislaid uncle (IA mislaiduncle00raym).pdf/23

 The shiny-blue man stopped right at Josephine's seat, and demanded fiercely, or it sounded fierce to the little girl:

"Sissy, where's your folks?"

"Please, I haven't got any," she answered politely.

"Who do you belong to, then?" asked he.

"I'm Mrs. John Smith's little girl, Josephine," she explained.

"Hmm. Well, where's Mrs. John Smith?" he persisted.

"She's gone away," said she, wishing he, too, would go away.

"Indeed. Tell me where to find her. You're small enough, but there should be somebody else in this section."

"I guess you can't find her. She's sailing and sailing on a steamer to my papa, who's sick and needs her more 'n I do."

"Hello! this is odd!" said the conductor, and passed on. But not before he added the caution:

"You stay right exactly where you are, sissy, till I come back. I'll find out your party and have you looked after."