`` Hullo ! '' returned Nat , not knowing what else to say , and thinking that form of reply both brief and easy . `` Are you a new boy ? '' asked the recumbent youth , without stirring . `` Do n't know yet . '' `` What 's your name ? '' `` Nat Blake . '' `` Mine 's Tommy Bangs . Come up and have a go , will you ? '' and Tommy got upon his legs like one suddenly remembering the duties of hospitality . `` Guess I wo n't , till I see whether I 'm going to stay or not , '' returned Nat , feeling the desire to stay increase every moment . `` I say , Demi , here 's a new one . Come and see to him ; '' and the lively Thomas returned to his sport with unabated relish . At his call , the boy reading on the stairs looked up with a pair of big brown eyes , and after an instant 's pause , as if a little shy , he put the book under his arm , and came soberly down to greet the new-comer , who found something very attractive in the pleasant face of this slender , mild-eyed boy . `` Have you seen Aunt Jo ? '' he asked , as if that was some sort of important ceremony . `` I have n't seen anybody yet but you boys ; I 'm waiting , '' answered Nat . `` Did Uncle Laurie send you ? '' proceeded Demi , politely , but gravely . `` Mr. Laurence did . ''
`` He is Uncle XXXXX ; and he always sends nice boys . ''
Bangs Blake Demi Hullo Laurence Laurie Nat Thomas Tommy new-comer