"And who is Gilbert Grey, and how did you become acquainted with him?"
"Uncle Henry put me in his charge," said Bessie. "I've traveled with him all the way from Buffalo."
"A great protector he is!" sneered Maurice. "He isn't old enough to take charge of a kitten."
"A kitten would be more trouble than I was," said Bessie. "She might scratch. I never do that, you know, Cousin Maurice."
"I should think Uncle Henry might have found some older person to put you in charge of."
"I am glad he didn't. Gilbert was real nice."
"You shouldn't call him by his first name; it isn't proper."
"Pray don't talk about what's proper. I heard enough of that from Miss Wiggins. Besides, he's only a boy, you know, though, to be sure, he looks almost as old as you."
"Don't be so provoking, Bessie. I am much larger than he."
"Are you? I didn't see it."