"You have made such a short visit," I said.

"I must be a very bad substitute for momma and poppa." A flash of comprehension illuminated my visitor's countenance.

"I pray that you do not think such a wrong thing," he said impulsively.

"If it is permitted, I again sit down." "Do," said I, and he did.

Anything else would have seemed perfectly unreasonable, and yet for the moment he twisted his moustache, apparently in the most foolish embarrassment.