Part 15 (1/2)
”Yes, and farther; I am going to California,” replied Tom.
”Dear me, you will be quite a traveler. I wish I were going to California.”
”You wouldn't like to go there on the same business that I am.”
”What is that?”
”I am going to dig gold.”
”I don't know. I suppose it isn't girl's work; but if I saw any gold about, I should like to dig for it. Is that your father that was standing by you?”
”No,” answered Tom. ”I never met him till yesterday. We were staying at the same hotel in Pittsburg.”
”He seems like quite a nice old gentleman.”
Mr. Waterbury was not over fifty, but to the young girl he seemed an old gentleman.
”I find him very pleasant.”
There was a seat next to Jennie, and Tom ventured to occupy it.
”What is your name?” asked the young lady sociably.
”Thomas Nelson, but most people call me Tom.”
”My name is Jane Watson, but everybody calls me Jennie.”
”That is much prettier than Jane.”
”So I think. Jane seems old-maidish, don't you think so?”
”Are you afraid of becoming an old maid?” asked Tom, smiling.
”Awfully. I wouldn't be an old maid for anything. My school-teacher is an old maid. She's horribly prim. She won't let us laugh, or talk, or anything.”
”I don't think you'll grow up like that.”
”I hope not.”
”How you run on, Jennie!” said her mother. ”What will this young gentleman think of you?”
”Nothing very bad, I hope,” said Jennie, smiling archly on Tom. ”I suppose,” she continued, addressing him, ”I ought to be very quiet and reserved, as you are a stranger.”
”I hope you won't be,” said Tom heartily.
”Then I won't. Somehow you don't seem like a stranger. You look a good deal like a cousin of mine. I suppose that is the reason.”
So they chatted on for an hour or more. Jennie was very vivacious, occasionally droll, and Tom enjoyed her company. The mother saw that our hero was well-behaved and gentlemanly, and made no objection to the sudden intimacy.