"
"I always heard you were pretty comfortable."
"So I am," said the old lady, "and maybe I save something; but my
income aint as great as yours."
"You have only yourself to look after, and it is cheap living in
Centreville."
"I don't fling money away. I don't spend quarter as much as you on
dress."
Looking at the old lady'a faded bombazine dress, Ferdinand was very
ready to believe this.
"You don't have to dress here, I suppose," he answered. "But, aunt,
we won't talk about money matters just yet. It was funny you took me
for a book-pedler."
"It was that book you had, that made me think so."
"It's a book I brought as a present to you, Aunt Deborah."
"You don't say!" said the old lady, gratified. "What is it? Let me
look at it."
"It's a copy of 'Pilgrim's Progress,' illustrated. I knew you
wouldn't like the trashy books they write nowadays, so I brought you
this."
"Really, Ferdinand, you're very considerate," said Aunt Deborah,
turning over the leaves with manifest pleasure. "It's a good book,
and I shall be glad to have it. Where are you stoppin'?"
"At the hotel in the village."
"You must come and stay here. You can get 'em to send round your
things any time."
"Thank you, aunt, I shall be delighted to do so. It seems so
pleasant to see you again after so many years. You don't look any
older than when I saw you last.
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