Cousin Tom jumped as if a firecracker had exploded in his vicinity, and he looked at Patty with a dazed expression.
"Bless my soul!" he said, "why, little one, I forgot all about you. Will you forgive me? Have you been here long? I was reading, you see, and I didn't hear you come."
"I've been here an hour, Cousin Tom," said Patty, demurely.
"An hour? No! Is it possible? You poor child, why didn't you tell me?"
"Oh, I didn't mind," said Patty, "and you seemed to be all wrapped up in your book."
"Yes, I was,—I was. But I'll try to make amends. Come, let's go and have some dinner."
Taking Patty's hand, Cousin Tom strode along the saloon, and down the stairs, and Patty almost had to run to keep up with his long steps.
"Now," said he, as they seated themselves at a table and an obsequious waiter began to put ice and then water into their glasses. "Now, what would you like to eat?"
"Oh, anything at all," said Patty, gaily, "I'm hungry enough to eat,—I don't know what."
