Page:Wiggin--A child's journey with Dickens.djvu/42

   the passengers began to collect their wraps and bundles, Mr. Osgood had two or three times made his appearance, but had been waved away with a smile by Dickens,—a smile that seemed to say,—"You will excuse me, I know, but this child has the right of way."

"You are not travelling alone?" he asked, as he arose to put on his overcoat.

"Oh, no," I answered, coming down to earth for the first time since I had taken my seat beside him,—"oh, no, I had a mother, but I forgot all about her." Whereupon he said,—"You are a passed-mistress of the art of flattery!" But this remark was told me years afterwards by the old lady who was sitting