CHAPTER XII.
IN WHICH BOBBY ASTONISHES SUNDRY PERSONS AND PAYS PART OF HIS NOTE "Now tell me, Bobby, how you have made out," said Mrs.Bright, as the little merchant seated himself at the supper table.

"You cannot have done much, for you have only been gone five days." "I have done pretty well, mother," replied Bobby, mysteriously; "pretty well, considering that I am only a boy." "I didn't expect to see you till to-morrow night." "I sold out, and had to come home." "That may be, and still you may not have done much." "I don't pretend that I have done much." "How provoking you are! Why don't you tell me, Bobby, what you have done ?" "Wait a minute, mother, till I have done my supper, and then I will show you the footings in my ledger." "Your ledger!" "Yes, my ledger.

I keep a ledger now." "You are a great man, Mr.Robert Bright," laughed his mother.

"I suppose the people took their hats off when they saw you coming." "Not exactly, mother." "Perhaps the governor came out to meet you when he heard you were on the road." "Perhaps he did; I didn't see him, however.

This apple pie tastes natural, mother.