Page:The mislaid uncle (IA mislaiduncle00raym).pdf/61

 *body," said the gentleman, rather dryly. He was puzzled as much by her odd talk as her unexpected appearance, and wondered if children so young were ever lunatics. The better to consider the matter he sat down in the nearest chair, and instantly Josephine was upon his knee. The sensation this gave him was most peculiar. He didn't remember that he had ever taken any child on his lap, yet permitted this one to remain there, because he didn't know what better to do. He had heard that one should treat a lunatic as if all vagaries were real. Opposition only made an insane person worse. What worse could this little crazy creature, with the lovely face and dreadful manners, do to a finical old bachelor in evening clothes than crush the creases out of his trouser knees?

The lap was not as comfortable as Doctor Mack's, and far, far from as cosey as mamma's. Uncle Joe's long legs had a downward slant to them that made Josephine's perch upon them rather uncertain. After sliding toward the floor once or twice, and hitching up again, she