“I’m very sorry,” he began; “yes, it was—I didn’t mean, I’m sure.”
“What did you do it for, if you didn’t mean, you young muff?—why don’t you go off to bed?”
“Because I don’t know where to go, and Tom Drift—”
“Do you know Tom Drift?”
“Yes—that is, I met his mother,” stammered Charlie, becoming more and more embarrassed.
Both the big boys burst out laughing. “What a treat for his mother!” said one. “I suppose she told you Tom was a real nice boy?”
“Yes.”
“I thought so; so he is, isn’t he, Joe?” and both boys laughed again.
“And she gave you a kiss to take to him?”
“No,” said Charlie, blushing scarlet; “she did give me a kiss, but not for him.”