[II.]
OLD FRIENDS AND NEW.
AFTER breakfast they went out again. Mr. Bradford and his little girls were standing in the porch waiting for mamma who was going with them, when Mr. Jones came up from the shore. He had been fishing, and looked rather rough and dirty, but he had a pleasant, good-natured face.
"Mornin' sir," he said to Mr. Bradford; "folks pretty spry?"
"Pretty well, thank you," said Mr. Bradford; "you have been out early this morning."
"Yes, I'm generally stirrin' round pretty early; been out since afore day-light. S'pose these are your little girls. How are you, Miss Bradford?" he said, holding out his hand.
But shy Maggie hung her head and drew a little away behind her father.
"Why, Maggie," said Mr. Bradford, "you are not polite; shake hands with Mr. Jones, my daughter."
"Not if she hain't a mind to," said Mr. Jones. "I see she's a bashful puss, but she'll feel better acquainted one of these days."
"Yes, she will;" said Bessie, "and then she won't be shy with you; but I'm not shy now, and I'll shake hands with you."