My dear mother died from some horrid fever when I was quite a little girl.

My father is everything to me." "Dear child!" he murmured, apparently uttering his thoughts aloud rather than addressing her directly.

"So you find me gruff, eh ?" "A regular bear, when you lecture me.

But that is only occasionally.
You can be very nice when you like, when you forget your past troubles.
And pray, why do you call me a child?
"Have I done so ?" "Not a moment ago.

How old are you, Mr.Jenks?
I am twenty--twenty last December." "And I," he said, "will be twenty-eight in August." "Good gracious!" she gasped.