Page 198 (2/2)

nineteen I' lady; she put her book down, and laughed "How

do you know I am nineteen, little boy?"

"Mrs Richie's brother said so"

She looked at him with amused perplexity "And who is Mrs Richie's

brother?"

David pointed shyly at the vanishing figure at the end of the waiting-

room

"Why, no, dear, that's my father"

"I know," said David; "he's Mr Pryor, Mrs Richie's brother He

comes and stays at our house"

"Stays at your house? What on earth are you talking about, you funny

little boy! Where is your house?"

"O' Chester," said David

The young lady laughed and gave hilance "You've made a

mistake, I think My father doesn't know Mrs Richie"

David had nothing to say, and she opened her book When Mr Pryor

returned, hurrying to collect the bags and u out of the

It was not until they were in the train that Alice remembered to speak

of the incident "Who in the world is Mrs Richie?" she deayly, "and where is Old Chester?"