badly brung up. Is she your sister?"

"No, ma'am."

"Is she any kin to you?"

"No; I'm her guardian."

The old lady adjusted her spectacles, and surveyed Ben from head
to foot in a scrutinizing manner.

"Sho!" said she. "Why, you're a child yourself!"

"I'm fifteen," returned Ben, with dignity.

"You don't mean to say you have the care of the little gal?"

"At present I have."

"Ain't nobody else travelin' with you?"

"No, ma'am."

"Where are you goin?"

"To Milltown."

"Where's that?"

"In Massachusetts."

"Is she goin' to board with your folks?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'd like to have charge of her for a month. I'd make a different
gal of her."

"I wouldn't go with you," said Emma.

"If you was bad, I'd whip you so you couldn't stand," said the
old lady, her eyes snapping. "I've got a granddarter about as
big as you; but she wouldn't dare to sass me the way you have."

"I'm glad you ain't my grandmother," said Emma. "I don't want
a dirty grandmother like you."

"You mustn't talk so, Emma," said Ben, thinking it time to
interfere.

"Talkin' won't do no good. She ought to be whipped," said the
old lady, shaking her head and scowling at Emma.

"Don't you want to go on deck and see the steamer start?"
asked Ben, as the only means of putting a stop to the irrepressible
conflict between the old lady and his charge.

"Oh, yes; let us go up."

So they went on deck, where Emma was not a little interested
at the varied sights that met her eye.

"Did you ever see such an ugly old woman, Ben?" asked Emma,
when they had reached the top of the stairs.

"Hush, Emma! You must be more particular about what you
say. You shouldn't have said anything about her taking
snuff."

"But she does take it," insisted the little girl. "I saw her put it
up her nose."

"That is nothing to us. She has a right to take it if she wants
to."

"But she wanted me to kiss her. You wouldn't want to kiss
her, Ben, would you?"

"No, I don't think I should," answered Ben, with an involuntary
grimace. "You were right in refusing that."

Soon after the boat started they went down to the
supper-room and got some supper. Mr. Manning having
supplied Ben with sufficient funds to travel in a liberal manner.
Just opposite them at the table sat the old lady, who shook
her head frowningly at the free-spoken young lady. Ben was
amused in watching her.

"I say, you, sir," she said, addressing the waiter, "bring me so