Partly Practical 91 



because they learn it from the tavern reg- 

 ister, are not inspired by mere curiosity ; 

 they grow out of a yearning for more ex- 

 perience and understanding ; so don't be 

 huffy if they seem personal. As you 

 stride up the road the children will see you 

 and run to report to their parents and the 

 hired man, so that you will pass in review 

 before the household. Long after you are 

 out of sight the family will be considering 

 your case : 



" Wonder if that could ha' been Eleazar 

 Ames's nephew he was expectin' from 

 Nashua." 



" No ; he'd ha' sent a team for him, 

 wouldn't he?" 



" Suppose he was one of them lightnin'- 

 rod agents? He had a bag." 



" I don't hardly think so. I guess he's 

 sellin' books." 



"Well, he won't sell any more 'Lives 

 of Distinguished Congressmen' in this 

 house ; now, that's a fact" 



" Twouldn't be surprisin' if he was one 

 of those actor fellers lookin' for work." 



"Why, sakes alive! I jest happen to 



