"Grandpa," he said facetiously. "Do I look as old as that? Can't I be
something better than a grandpa?"
"Well, only one papa's the style," said Julia doubtfully. "And you are
too big to be a baby, and--"
"Can't I be your uncle?" Then, glancing at Connie with a sudden
realization of the only possible way the uncle-ship could be
accomplished, he blushed.
"Yes, an uncle is better," said Connie imperturbably. "You must
remember, Julia dear, that men are very, very sensitive about their
ages, and you must always give them credit for youth."
"I see," said Julia. And Prince wondered how old Connie thought he
was, his hair was a little thin, not from age--always had been that
way--and he was as brown as a Zulu, but it was only sunburn. He'd
figure out a way of letting her know he was only thirty-two before the
evening was over.
"Are you going over to the street to-night?" he asked of David, but not
caring half a cent what David did.
"I am afraid I can't. I am not very good on my feet any more. I am
sorry, the girls would enjoy it."
"Carol and I might go alone," suggested Connie bravely. "Every one
does out here. We wouldn't mind it."
"I will not go to a street carnival and leave David," protested Carol.
"It would be rather interesting." Connie looked tentatively from the
window.
Prince swallowed in anguish. She ought to go, he told them; she really
needs to go. The evenings are so much fuller of literary material than
day-times. And the dancing--
"I do not dance," said Connie. "My father is a minister."
"You do not dance! Why, that's funny. I don't either. That is, not
exactly,-- Oh, once in a while just to fill in." Then the latter part
of her remark reached his inner consciousness. "A minister. By
George!"
"My husband is one, too," said Carol.
Prince looked helplessly about him. Then he said faintly, "I--I am
not. But my father wanted me to be a preacher. He sent me to
Princeton, and I stuck it out nearly ten weeks. That is why they call
me Prince, short for Princeton. I am the only real college man on the
range, they say."
"The street fair must be interesting," Connie went back to the main
idea.
"Yes indeed, the crowds, the side-shows--I mean the exhibits, and the
lotteries, and--I am sure you never saw so much literary material
crowded into two blocks in your life."
"Oh, well, I don't mind. Maybe some other night we can go." Connie
was sweetly resigned.
"I should be very glad,--if you don't mind,--I haven't anything else to
do,--and I can take good care of you."
"Oh, that is just lovely. And maybe you will give me some more
stories. Isn't that fine, David? It is so kind of you, Mr. Ingram. I
am sure I shall find lots of material."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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