THE RETURN OF CHARLIE DIXON
"Oh, Uncle Joe! Charlie's back, and he's going to take us out to-night, and I'm so happy."
Bindle regarded the flushed and radiant face of Millie Hearty, who had just rushed up to him and now stood holding on to his arm with both hands.
"I thought I should catch you as you were going home," she cried. "Uncle Joe, I—I think I want to cry."
"Well," remarked Bindle, "if you'll give your pore ole uncle a chance to get a word in edgeways, 'e'd like to ask why you wants to cry."
"Because I'm so happy," cried Millie, dancing along beside him, her hands still clasping his arm.
"I see," replied Bindle drily; "still, it's a funny sort o' reason for wantin' to cry, Millikins;" and he squeezed against his side the arm she had now slipped through his.
"You will come, Uncle Joe, won't you?" There was eager entreaty in her voice. "We shall be at Putney Bridge at seven."
"I'm afraid I can't to-night, Millikins," replied Bindle. "I got a job on."
"Oh, Uncle Joe!" The disappointment in Millie's voice was too obvious to need the confirmation of the sudden downward droop of the corners of her pretty mouth. "You must come;" and Bindle saw a hint of tears in the moisture that gathered in her eyes.