"Mercy!" says she. "What impertinence!"
"Please, ma'am," says the girl, "Mr. Ellins sent him up, and I——"
"Oh!" says the old one. Then she gives me another look. "Boy," says she, "what's your name!"
"Torehy," says I. "Ain't it a snug fit?"
"Oh!" says she again, and with the soft pedal on. "You're Torchy, are you?"
"There ain't any gettin' away from a name like that," says I.
"Why," says she, doin' her best to call up a smile, "what a bright young man you are!"
"Specially on top," says I, throwin' a wink at Marie.
"Ye-es," says Aunt Laura, "I always did think that copper-red shade of hair was real pretty. Come right in, Torchy, while Marie gets you some cake and a cup of tea."
"I ain't turnin' the shoulder to any cake," says I; "but you can cut out the tea."