otseenhimbefore.

    "HenryDay,"hesaid."AsIliveahe."

    Istoodfixedtothethreshold,seargmymemoryforanerrantclueastowhothismanmightbe.Heclickedhisheelstogetherandbowedslightlyatthewaist,thenstrodepastmeintotheflangfurtivelyupthestairs."Isyourmotherin?Isshedet?"

    Hardlyanyonecametovisitinthemiddleoftheday,exceptoccasion-allythefarmerswivesnearbyormothersofmysates,drivingoutfromtownwithafreshcakeandnewgossip.WheniedonHenry,therewasnomahanhisfatherorthemilkmanwhocametothehouse.

    Hetossedhishatonthesideboardandturofacemeagain."Howlongsitbeen,Henry?Yourmamasbirthday,maybe?Youdontlooklikeyouvegrownawhisker.Yourdaddynotfeedingyou?"

    Istaredatthestrangeranddidnotknowwhattosay.

    "RunupthestairsandtellyourmamaImhereforavisit.Goonnow,son."

    "WhoshallIsayiscalling?"

    "Why,yourUncleCharlie,a-course."

    "ButIdonthaveanyuncles."

    Themanlaughed;thenhisbrowfurrowedandhismouthbecamease-vereline."Areyouokay,Henryboy?"Hebentdowntolookmeintheeye."Now,Imnotactuallyyouruncle,son,butyourmamasoldestfriend.Afriendofthefamily,youmightsay."

    Mymothersavedmebyingdowairwayunbidden,andthemomehestranger,shethrewherarmsintotheairandrushedtoembracehim.Itookadvaheirreuniontoslipaway.

    Aclosecall,butnotasbadasthescareafewweekslater.Inthosefirstfewyears,Istillhadallmygelingpowersandcouldhearlikeafox.Promanyroominthehouse,Icouldeavesdroponmyparentsduri