"'Hallo, old 'un,' said the girl, 'it's you, is it?'
"'Yes, Sophy,' said our reporter, 'here I am again.'
"'As large as life,' remarked Sophy, vivaciously, 'and twice as--no, I won't say that; you ain't arf a bad sort. What's yer little game this time, old 'un?'
"'Is Mrs. Middlemore in?' asked our reporter.
"'Yes, aunt's at 'ome. Do you want to see 'er?'
"'That's what I've come for, Sophy.'
"'Who's that, Sophy?' cried Mrs. Middlemore, from the bottom of the basement stairs.
"'It's the old 'un, aunt,' screamed Sophy.
"'Don't be absurd,' said our reporter, pinching Sophy's cheek. 'It is I, Mrs. Middlemore, the reporter from the Evening Moon.'
"'Come down, sir,' cried Mrs. Middlemore, 'if come you must. Don't stop talking to that 'uzzy.'