"You needn't take the trouble to 'aunt' me every time you speak
to me," said the lady. "I know you're my niece, but I ain't
goin' to remind you of it every time I speak to you. It's
agein', this 'auntie' business. I don't stand for it, and as for
a name, I am free to confess I always like the way Jim calls me
'Callie.' That sounds younger and more companionable than
'Caroline.' "
James Heitman looked at Eileen and winked.
"You just bet, old girl!" he said. "They ain't any of them can
beat you, not even Eileen at her best. Let's get her out of
here. Does this represent your luggage, girlie?"
"You said not to bother with anything else," said Eileen.
"So I did," said Uncle Jim, "and I meant just what I said if it's
all right with you. I suppose I did have, in the back of my
head, an idea that there might be a trunk or a box--some things
that belonged to your mother, mebby, and your 'keepsakes.'"
"Oh, never mind," interrupted Eileen. "Do let's go. It's nearly
four o'clock. Any minute they may send for me from the bank, and
I'd be more than glad to be out of the way."
"Well, I'm not accustomed to being the porter, but if time's that
precious, here we go," said Uncle Jim.
He picked up the suitcase with one hand and took his wife's arm
with the other.
"Scoot down there and climb into that boat," he said proudly to
Eileen. "We'll have a good dinner in a private room when we get
to the hotel. I won't even register.
Pages:
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315