"Then tell her in plain language, that this is the happiest moment of my life, and also that black eyes are my especial adoration!" "What have you been telling him about me, you dreadful girl?" queried Miss Archer, shaking her head remonstratingly when this was repeated to her. "But you may inform him I am delighted to make his acquaintance, and hope he has curly hair, because it's so nice to pull!" "With the hope of such a happy occurrence, I will hereafter do up my hair in papers," "C" replied when Nattie had repeated this to him. "But do not slight your other visitor." "Shall I introduce you?" asked Nattie holding the key open, and turning to Quimby, who had betrayed various symptoms of uneasiness while this conversation was going on, and who now grasped his hat firmly, as if to throw it at the little sounder that represented the offending "C," and answered, "Oh, no! I--really I--I beg pardon, but it's really no matter about me--you know!" "He says he is of no consequence," Nattie said to "C." "He!" repeated "C," "a he, is it? Ought I to be jealous? Is it you, or our black-eyed friend who is the attraction?" Nattie replied only with a ha! "Is he talking now?" asked Miss Archer, mindful of Nattie's smile, and nodding towards the clattering sounder, at which Quimby was scowling. "No, some other office is sending business now, so our conversation is suspended," answered Nattie, as much to Quimby's relief as to Miss Archer's regret. "I shall improve the acquaintance, however," the latter said. "I am very curious to know how he looks, aren't you?" "Yes, but I do not suppose I ever shall," Nattie answered. "Then you--I beg pardon, but you never expect to see him?" queried Quimby, with great earnestness. "In all probability we never shall meet. I think I should be dreadfully embarrassed if we should," Nattie replied, as she handed the day's cash to the boy who just then came after it. "Face to face we would really be strangers to each other." Quimby evinced more satisfaction at this than the occasion seemed to warrant, as Nattie noticed, with some surprise, but several customers claiming her attention, all at once, and all in a hurry, she was kept too busy for some time, to think upon the cause. As soon as she was at leisure, Miss Archer, with the remark that they had made an unpardonably long call, arose to go. But you must certainly come again, "Nattie said, cordially, already feeling her to be an old friend. "Indeed I shall," she answered, in the genial way peculiar to her. "You have a double attraction here, you know. Can I say good-by to 'C?'" "I fear not, as the wire is busy," replied Nattie. "But I will say it for you as soon as possible." "Yes, tell him, please, that I will see him--I mean, hear the clatter he makes again soon: You, I shall see at the hotel, I hope, now we have met." "Oh, yes!" Nattie replied. "I am very much indebted to Quimby for making us acquainted."