I never met one before; but I wanted to.

I get awful lonely sometimes, for you see it's only me and grandpapa at the table; and he is so busy he can't play much with a little girl like me.

Won't you stay here and be my real cousin?
I don't think I'd mind it much if there was only somebody like you to talk with me.

I get so tired being alone; and dolly won't answer me; she lets me do all the talking." This ingenuous manner of speech, perhaps a trifle oldish in its way for a wee lassie of less than eight, acted like magic upon the heart of the desolate boy, who had known no home ever since his mother passed over to the Far Beyond; he then and there mentally vowed that he would settle this business before he turned in that night; and it was already a foregone conclusion as to what his decision must be--he could not bear the thought that he would never see this little fairy again.
"I'll think of it, Jessie--you'll let me call you cousin, won't you ?" he said.
"Why, of course; we are cousins, ain't we?
And you must be sure to say you'll stay, because I know grandpapa wants you; he told me so.

He is getting old, and we worries a lot about me, just as if anybody would want to run away with a poor little child like me; but I heard him say that if Owen was only here to be with me he'd feel so much more contented.