It made Mr.McLean ask him why he was so fond of Miss Ailie.
"I'm the only man-body she has," he answered.
"Oh?
But why are you her man-body ?" The boy could think of no better reason than this: "Because--because she's so sair in need o' are." (There were moments when one liked Tommy.) Mr.McLean turned to the window, and perhaps forgot that he was not alone.

"Well, what are you thinking about so deeply ?" he asked by and by.
"I was trying to think o' something that would gar you laugh," answered Tommy, very earnestly, and was surprised to see that he had nearly done it.
The blue and white note-book was lying on the floor where Miss Ailie had dropped it.

Often in Tommy's presence she had consulted this work, and certainly its effect on her was the reverse of laughter; but once he had seen Dr.McQueen pick it up and roar over every page.

With an inspiration Tommy handed the book to Mr.McLean.

"It made the doctor laugh," he said persuasively.
"Go away," said Ivie, impatiently; "I am in no mood for laughing." "I tell you what," answered Tommy, "I'll go, if you promise to look at it," and to be rid of him the man agreed.