"That's Miss Pompret," said Nan to Bert. "I heard mother say she was
very rich."

"Is she?" asked Bert. "She looks kind of funny."

"That's 'cause she isn't married," returned Nan. "Some folks call her an
old maid, but I don't think she's very old, even if her hair is white.
Her face looks nice."

"Yes, but she looks kind of worried now," said Bert. "That's the way
mother looks when she's worried."

They were in front of the house now, and could see Miss Pompret quite
plainly. Certainly the elderly lady did look as though something
troubled her.

"Good afternoon, Miss Pompret!" called Nan, as she was about to pass by.
Bert took off his cap and bowed.

"Oh, you're half of the Bobbsey twins, aren't you?" asked Miss Pompret,
with a smile. "I often see you go past. I only wish you were a little
bigger."

"Bigger? Why?" asked Bert, in some surprise.

"Why, then," explained Miss Pompret, "you might take this letter to the
post-office for me. It's very important, and I want it to go out on this
mail, but I can't go to the post-office myself. If you Bobbsey twins
were bigger I should ask you to take it. Tell me, is the other set of
twins larger than you two?"