cares how many 'bracelets' Signora ---- had on, or whose 'arm she leaned gracefully upon,' or whether her 'hair was braided or curled'? If, because a lord or a duke once 'honored her' by insulting her with infamous proposals, some few brainless Americans choose to deify her as a goddess, in the name of George Washington and common sense, let it not be taken as a national exponent. There are some few Americans left, who prefer ipecac in homoeopathic doses." CHAPTER LXXV. "Hark! Nettie. Go to the door, dear," said Ruth, "some one knocked." "It is a strange gentleman, mamma," whispered Nettie, "and he wants to see you." Ruth bowed as the stranger entered. She could not recollect that she had ever seen him before, but he looked very knowing, and, what was very provoking, seemed to enjoy her embarrassment hugely. He regarded Nettie, too, with a very scrutinizing look, and seemed to devour everything with the first glance of his keen, searching eye. He even seemed to listen to the whir--whir--whir of the odd strange lodger in the garret overhead. "I don't recollect you," said Ruth, hesitating, and blushing slightly; "you have the advantage of me, sir?" "And yet you and I have been writing to each other, for a week or more," replied the gentleman, with a good-humored smile; "you have even signed a contract, entitling me to your pen-and-ink services." "Mr. Walter?" said Ruth, holding out her hand. "Yes," replied Mr. Walter, "I had business this way, and I could not come here without finding you out." "Oh, thank you," said Ruth, "I was just wishing that I had some head wiser than mine, to help me decide on a business matter which came up two or three days ago. Somehow I don't feel the least reluctance to bore you with it, or a doubt that your advice will not be just the thing; but I shall not stop to dissect the philosophy of that feeling, lest in grasping at the shadow, I should lose the substance," said she, smiling. While Ruth was talking, Mr. Walter's keen eye glanced about the room, noting its general comfortless appearance, and the little bowl of bread and milk that stood waiting for their supper. Ruth observed this, and blushed deeply. When she looked again at Mr. Walter, his eyes were glistening with tears. "Come here, my darling," said he to Nettie, trying to hide his emotion. "I don't know you," answered Nettie. "But you will, my dear, because I am your mamma's friend." "Are you Katy's friend?" asked Nettie. "Katy?" repeated Mr. Walter. "Yes, my _sister_ Katy; she can't live here, because we don't have supper enough; pretty soon mamma will earn more supper, won't you mamma? Shan't you be glad when Katy comes home, and we all have enough to eat?" said the child to Mr. Walter. Mr. Walter pressed his lips to the child's forehead with a low "Yes, my darling;" and then placed his watch chain and seals at her disposal, fearing Ruth might be painfully affected by her artless prattle.