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AUNT JANE’S NIECES AND UNCLE JOHN

“You see,” explained Patsy, rising to take off her things and put them away, “I was coming home early when I first met Mumbles. A little boy had him, with a string tied around his eck, and when Mumbles tried to run up to me the boy jerked him back cruelly—and afterward kicked him. That made me mad.”

“Of course,” said Uncle John, nodding wisely.

“I cuffed the boy, and he said he’d take it out on Mumblies, as soon as I’d gone away. I did n't like that. I offered to buy the dog, but the boy did n't dare sell him. He said it belonged to his father. who ’d kill him and kick up a row besides if ke didn’t bring Mumbles home. So I found out where they lived and as it was n't far away i went home with him.”

“Crazy Patsy!” smiled Uncle John.

“And the dinner waiting!” groaned the Major, reproachiully.

“Well, Thad a time, you can believe!” continued Patsy, with animation. “The man was a big brute, and half drunk. He grabbed up the little

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