Jane stood meekly by, supplying the needful articles one by one. When all was over and the child released from his mother's fond arms, with a rapturous kiss, she ventured upon a single question.
"When Master Buster says he 'won't' what am I to do, ma'am?"
Mrs. Belknap leaned back in her chair with a far-away look in her bright eyes. Finally she replied: "You must contrive not to have him say 'won't' to you, Jane. It requires infinite tact and patience to care for a high-spirited child like Buster. Of course, I could not allow you to punish him in any way. I do not believe in corporal punishment; and even if I approved of it, I should never relegate it to other hands."
"And about the other children, ma'am; I noticed several in the neighborhood while I was out. There was another very rude child named Buster Yates—at least the little girl who was with him said so—I couldn't help wondering——"
"About what, Jane?" asked Mrs. Belknap indulgently. "I suppose everything in America is quite new and strange to you," she added rather proudly; "I shall always be glad to explain what you do not understand."
"Would you mind telling me why so many little boys in America are called—Buster? It's a very curious name. I never heard it in England."
Mrs. Belknap laughed heartily. "That's very easily explained," she said. "It is really a nickname taken from a series of humorous pictures in one of the newspapers. Quite possibly people are overdoing it," she added meditatively.
Jane looked mystified.
"Our Buster's name is really Everett Livingstone, and the Bliss child is Ralph, I believe; and Mrs. Yates's little boy is named Frederick. The Caldwells call their Arthur 'Buster,' and in town the Elwells and the Farleys and—yes, ever so many others have 'Busters.' It must have struck you as being very singular."
"Yes, Mrs. Belknap," said Jane pointedly. "It did."