"I jest wanted to ride by Sam Lamb," replied the child as he was
lifted down. "An' I see a nice fat little man name' Major--"

"He jes' wouldn' ride inside, Miss Minerva," interrupted the
driver, quickly, to pass over the blush that rose to the
spinster's thin cheek at mention of the Major. "Twan't no use
fer ter try ter make him ride nowhars but jes' up by me. He jes'
'fused an' 'fused an' 'sputed an' 'sputed; he jes' tuck ter me
f'om de minute he got off 'm de train an' sot eyes on me; he am
one easy chile ter git 'quainted wid; so, I jes' h'isted him up
by me. Here am his verlise, ma'am."

"Good-bye, Sam Lamb," said the child as the negro got back on the
box and gathered up the reins. "I'll see you to-morrer."

Miss Minerva imprinted a thin, old-maid kiss on the sweet,
childish mouth. "I am your Aunt Minerva," she said, as she
picked up his satchel.

The little boy carelessly drew the back of his hand across his
mouth.

"What are you doing?" she asked. "Are you wiping my kiss off?"

"Naw 'm," he replied, "I's jest a--I's a-rubbin' it in, I
reckon."

"Come in, William," and his aunt led the way through the wide
hall into w big bedroom.