Finally, he recognized a family acquaintance, and to him he
unburdened his bosom by remarking, in tones easily heard
throughout the church:--
"I want to find my uncle."
Just then he caught my eye, smiled rapturously, hurried to me and
laid his rascally soft cheek confidingly against mine, while an
audible sensation pervaded the church. What to do or say to him I
scarcely knew; but my quandary was turned to wonder, as Miss
Mayton, her face full of ill-repressed mirth, but her eyes full of
tenderness, drew the little scamp close to her, and Mssed him
soundly. At the same instant, the minister, not without some
little hesitation, said, "Let us pray." I hastily bowed my head,
glad of a chance to hide my face; but as I stole a glance at the
cause of this irreligious disturbance, I caught Miss Mayton's eye.
She was laughing so violently that the contagion was unavoidable,
and I laughed all the harder as I felt that one mischievous boy
had undone the mischief caused by another.
After the benediction, Budge was the recipient of a great deal of
attention, during the confusion of which I embraced the
opportunity to say to Miss Mayton:--
"Do you still sustain my sister in her opinion of my nephews, Miss
Mayton?"
"I think they're too funny for anything," replied the lady, with
great enthusiasm.
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