“I don’t like him, though. Not very well. He gives me medicine sometimes, though mamma says I don’t need it. I’m glad he’s gone to eat those philopenas. Aren’t you?”
“I don’t care a rap where he goes,” answered Uncle Joe testily.
Josephine opened her eyes to their widest. This old man in the soiled green dressing-gown, unshaven, frowning and wincing in a horrible manner, was like another person to the handsome gentleman with whom she had dined overnight. He was not half so agreeable, and— Well, mamma often said that nobody in this world had a right to be “cross” and make themselves unpleasant to other people. She was sorry for poor Uncle Joe, and remembered that he had not had the advantage of mamma’s society and wisdom.
“Uncle Joe, you look just like one of them picture-men that was shut up in a tree trunk. You know. You showed them to me last night. I wish you wouldn’t make up such a face,” she observed.
Mr. Smith’s mouth flew open in sheer amazement, while Peter tossed his hands aloft and rolled his eyes till the whites alone were visible. In all his service he had never heard anybody dare to speak so plainly to his master, whose temper was none of the mildest. He dreaded what would follow, and was more astonished than ever when it proved to be a quiet:
“Humph! Children and fools speak truth, ’tis said. You’re a sharp-eyed, unflattering little lady, Miss Josephine; but I’ll try to control my ugly visage for your benefit.”
The tone in which this was said, rather than the words themselves, was a reproof to the child, who immediately left her place, ran to her uncle’s side, and laid her hand pleadingly upon his arm.
“Please forgive me, poor Uncle Joe. I guess that was saucy. I—I didn’t think. That’s a way I have. I say things first, and think them afterward. I guess it isn’t a nice way. I’ll try to get over that. My! won’t that be fun? You trying not to make up faces, and I trying not to say wrong things. I’ll tell you. Have you got a little box anywhere?”
“Yes, I presume so. Go eat your breakfast, child. Why?”
“’Cause. Did you know there was heathens?” she asked gravely.