Untitled

76 MOONFOLK.
man turned his upon her, and remarked.
" Well, I
thought I was out of humanity's reach but it seems I'm
;
not. So that's the last new thing, is it ? " continued
he, staring at the carpet.
" Better than a velocipede, I
should imagine."
" Oh !
please sir, are you Eobinson Crusoe ? " asked
Rhoda, breathing a little hard after her rapid journey.
" That's my name. I don't keep visiting-cards here."
" I I've read about you, sir," said Ehoda timidly ;
for Robinson Crusoe did not seem inclined to make
much conversation, nor to be particularly glad to see his
visitor.
"Yes, I know one of those meddling moonbeams
carried my story, or part of it, down to the earth. I
scolded her well for it," said Crusoe, seating himself and
taking out his pipe.
" You don't mind smoke, I suppose,"
added he, striking a light with a flint and steel
from his pocket.
"
No
; the Chimney-Elf smokes, and so does father,"
replied Rhoda.
Yes Chimney-Elf
?
Oh, I know now. Well, is
he coming here too I'm ? not very partial to visitors."
" I'm sorry I came, then, and I'll
go right away,"
Baid Rhoda, turning a little red, and feeling somewhat
hurt ;
but Robinson Crusoe laughed, and laid one of his
great brown hands upon her arm.
" Don't be in a hurry, little girl," said he. " How did
you come here, any way ? "