"There must be an awful demand for papers in Canton."

"There is, mother; and they pay such high prices there, that I am thinking of setting up a news establishment in the place."

"And did you walk all the way to Canton day before yesterday, my boy?"

"Then it was day before yesterday morning when I left home? I thought it was longer ago than that."

"Longer ago! Oh, dear, dear! you are not out of your head, my son?"

"My good mother, I am as sound as you are. Only you know that sometimes, when we are very much occupied, the time passes quickly; and I have been quite busy since I left you."

"And did you say that you walked to Canton?"

"No, mother, I didn't walk a step."

"Then you took the Providence cars?"

"Well, mother, it was a kind of a providence car."