It was a way she had when she
wanted information. People rather smiled to see Letitia sometimes, but
uncle Jack had always encouraged her in it; he said it was quaint.
Letitia's face was very sober, and very innocent, and very round, and
her hair was very long and light, and hung in two smooth braids, with
a neat blue bow on the end of each, down her back.
[Illustration: LETITIA STOOD BEFORE UNCLE JACK.]
Uncle Jack gazed inquiringly at her through his half-closed eyes.
"What is it, Letitia?"
"Aunt Malvina said 'as black as Toby,'" said Letitia with a look half
of inquiry, half of anxious abstraction. What Letitia could find out
herself she never asked other people.
"Yes; I know she did," replied uncle Jack.
"Then she said, 'Dark as Pokonoket.'"
"Yes; she said that too."
"And then she said, 'Crazy as a loon.'"
"Yes; she did."
"Uncle Jack, what is Toby, and what is Pokonoket, and what is a loon?"
"Toby," said uncle Jack slowly and impressively, "lives in Pokonoket,
and keeps a loon."
"Oh!" said Letitia, in a tone which implied that she was both relieved
and amazed at her own stupidity.
"Yes; perhaps you would like to hear something more particular about
Toby--how he got married, for instance?"
"I should, very much indeed," replied Letitia gravely and promptly.
"Well, you had better sit down; it will take a few minutes to tell
it.
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