elf and Jo--Quimby being at the other end of the room, a
prey to his emotions--Clem continued;

"The truth of the matter is simply this, my father, with a
pig-headedness worthy of Eugene Wrayburn's M. R. F. in 'Our Mutual
Friend,' determined to make a doctor of me, not on account of any
qualifications of mine, but for the simple reason that a doctor is a
good thing to have in a family. But I, having an intense dislike to the
smell of drugs, a repugnance to knowing anything more than absolutely
necessary about the 'ills that flesh is heir to,' and decided objections
to having the sleep of my future life disturbed, declined, and at the
same time expressed a desire to go into the store with him, and become a
merchant. Upon which my most immediate ancestor waxed wroth, called me,
in plain, unvarnished words, a fool; and a pretty one I was to set
myself up against his will! I, who couldn't earn my salt without him to
back me! Being of a contrary opinion myself, I determined to test my
abilities in the salt line. I began," looking at Nattie, merrily, "by
salting you!"--then explaining to Cyn, Jo, and the silent Quimby,
"'Salt' is a term operators use, when one tries to send faster than the
other can receive. I began my acquaintance with N by trying to 'salt'
her. To go on with my narrative, I had learned to telegraph at college,
where the boys had private wires from room to room, and being acquainted
with one of the managers in our city, succeeded in obtaining that very
undesirable office down there at X n, where I remained until my stern
parent relented, concluded to hire a doctor instead of making one, and
offered me the control of a branch of the firm here in your city. And
here I am!"

"And isn't it strange how you should have stumbled upon us, feast and
all?" said Cyn, laughing.

Nattie was again disturbed by the plural pronoun, and also angry at
herself for observing it.

"Isn't it?" Clem answered merrily; "what a lucky fellow I am! You see,
not being at all acquainted in the city, I hunted up my old college
friend Quimby, who asked me to call on some lady friends of his,
mentioning no names, which of course I was only too glad to do! Imagine
my surprise and delight when I discovered who those friends were! But I
don't know as I should have dared to reveal mvself, having been so often
snubbed,"--With a roguish glance at Nattie-- "if that story had not been
told and the mystery solved. Imagine my dismay, though, at b