moment and then dropped to the
pavement. A very old man in a linen suit, followed by an old hound,
was going through the door as they passed, and he pivoted on his stick
and watched them. Here was the very essence of stability.

Reaching the central square, the driver swung his car in a majestic
arc around the traffic post in the centre of the street and drew up at
the curb in front of the post-office. There was a liberal sprinkling
of small motors of the same general classification as the one in which
they were arriving, parked with their noses headed toward the curb, at
an angle. Uncle Buzz's figure suddenly appeared, hurrying from behind
one of these, his face set in an earnest frown. He had evidently seen
them from the "Golden Rule," diagonally opposite, and had come the
most direct route, through the traffic.

"Well, Joseph, this is a surprise."

This, thought Joe, might mean anything. Either his Aunt Loraine had
not been apprised of his expected arrival, or perhaps the old man had
already extricated himself from his trouble.

"Any bags?"

"No. No bags." Joe was still holding the out-stretched hand of
welcome.

Uncle Buzz turned to the driver and dropped a coin in that worthy
gentleman's greasy palm as it lay inertly on the seat, beside him.
"That will be all," he said with great dignity.

The driver gave him a long look, heavy lidded--a critical look, a
deeply thoughtful look--sniffed, and then turned to Joe, "Goin' back?"
he asked shortly, as though there were nothing more now for any one to
stay for.

"No," said Joe. "Not to-day."

The driver pondered this in his heart for a moment, came to a sudden
decision, sniffed again, and turned his back on them both and
proceeded to stretch himself out as far as the narrow confines of the
seat would permit. Business was apparently over for the day.

Uncle Buzz led Joe across the street to the busy side. The contrast of
their figures was striking, for Joe was over a head taller, and loose
where Uncle Buzz was stiff.

Mr. Mosby turned at the curbing and with a confidential air: "We'll
just get a bite to eat in here," indicating a tiny little lunch room
crammed in between two ramshackle old frame buildings. "Your Aunt
Loraine was a bit indisposed this morning."

This established one conclusion. He was at least not expected at home.
More than that, he could not decide without further premises.

They occupied stools at a high counter covered with oilcloth. Unc