"What made him get up so early?"
"'Portant business called him away, he said."
"Where's Uncle John?"
"He hasn't been home."
"Has he got 'portant business, too?"
"'Specs he has, honey."
"It doesn't seem nice to take breakfast without papa," said the little boy.
"You may consider me your papa, Frank," observed Ernest.
"But you're not big enough to be a papa."
"At any rate, I am not old enough."