s neck.

"The jade!" muttered he.

"I have caught you in a passion again, uncle;" and the lady kissed the
old gentleman's anger-reddened cheek, which seemed to restore him at
once to himself.

"It was enough to make a minister swear," said he, in apology.

"No, it wasn't, uncle; the boy was a little pert, it is true; but you
ought to have laughed at him, instead of getting angry. I heard the
whole of it."

"Pert?" said Bobby to himself. "What the deuce does she mean by that?"

"Very well, you little minx; I will pay the penalty."

"Come here, Master Pert," said the lady to Bobby.

Bobby bowed, approached the lady, and began to feel very much
embarrassed.

"My uncle," she continued, "is one of the best-hearted men in the
world--ain't you, uncle?"

"Go on, you jade!"

"I love him, as I would my own father; but he will sometimes get into
a passion. Now, you provoked him."

"Indeed, ma'am, I hadn't the least idea of saying anything uncivil,"
pleaded Bobby. "I studied to be as polite as possible."

"I dare say. You were too important, too pompous, for a boy to an old
gentleman like uncle, who is really one of the best men in the
world. Now, if you hadn't _studied_ to be polite, you would have
done very well."

"Indeed, ma'am, I am a poor boy, trying to make a little money to help
my mother. I am sure I meant no harm."

"I know you didn't. So you are selling books to help your mother?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She inquired still further into the little merchant's history, and
seemed to be very much interested in him.

In a frolic, a few days before, Bobby learned from her, Colonel
Whiting had agreed to pay any penalty she might name, the next time he
got into a passion.

"Now, young man, what book have you to sell?" asked the lady.

"'The Wayfarer.'"

"How many have you in your valise?"

"Eight."

"Very well; now, uncle, I decree, as the penalty of your indiscretion,
that you purchase the whole stock."

"I submit."

"'The Wayfarer' promises to be an excellent book; and I can name at
least half a dozen persons who will thank you for a copy, uncle."

Colonel Whiting paid Bobby eight dollars, who left the contents of his
valise on the centre table, and then departed, astounded at his good
fortune, and fully resolved never to be too smart again.

CHAPTER XI

IN WHICH BOBBY STRIKES A BALANCE, AND RETURNS TO RIVERDALE

Our hero had learned a lesson which experience alone could teach
him. The