? ? ? ? "Dear me, you are one of the young street Arabs I've read about," and the lady looked curiously at Mike through her glasses.
? ? ? ? "I expect I am."
? ? ? ? "And I suppose you haven't much money."
? ? ? ? "My bank account is very low, ma'am."
? ? ? ? "I've read a book about a boy named `Ragged Dick.' I think he was a bootblack, too. Do you know him?"
? ? ? ? "He's my cousin, ma'am," answered Mike promptly.
? ? ? ? It will be observed that I don't represent Mike as possessed of all the virtues.
? ? ? ? "Dear me, how interesting. I bought the book for my little nephew. Now I can tell him I have seen `Ragged Dick's' cousin. Where is Dick now?"
? ? ? ? "He's reformed, ma'am."
? ? ? ? "Reformed?"
? ? ? ? "Yes, from blackin' boots. He's in better business now."
? ? ? ? "If I should give you some of the money in this pocketbook, you wouldn't spend it on drinking and gambling, would you?"
? ? ? ? "No, ma'am. I'd reform like my cousin, Ragged Dick.
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