"I thought so," said the gentleman, "she is the very image of Helen Duncan. And where is your father, Bessie?"
"Up in the house, yeading to mamma," said Bessie, looking away from him to the lady. She was very pretty and had a sweet smile. Bessie liked her face very much and sat gazing at her as earnestly as she had before done at the gentleman who presently said, "Well, what do you think of this lady?"
"I think she is very pretty," said Bessie, turning her eyes back to him.
"So do I," said the gentleman, "do you think that I am very pretty, too?"
"No," said Bessie.
"Then what do you think about me?"
"I think you are pretty 'quisitive," said the little girl, at which both the lady and gentleman laughed heartily; but Bessie looked very sober.
"Will you give me a kiss, little one?" asked the stranger.
"No," said Bessie, "I had yather not."