`` I 'm sure , '' said Mrs. John Joe . `` But I did n't know you had a brother . And his name -- Merrivale ? '' `` Well , he was n't any relation really . I was about six years old when my father married his mother , the Widow Merrivale . John was just my age , and we were brought up together just like brother and sister . He was a real nice fellow , I must say . But he went out to Californy years ago , and I have n't heard a word of him for fifteen years -- did n't know if he was alive or dead . But it seems from what I can make out from the boy , that his mother died when he was a baby , and him and John roughed it along together -- pretty poor , too , I guess -- till John took a fever and died . And he told some of his friends to send the boy to me , for he 'd no relations there and not a cent in the world . And the child came all the way from Californy , and here he is . I 've been just distracted ever since . I 've never been used to children , and to have the house kept in perpetual uproar is more than I can stand . He 's about twelve and a born mischief . He 'll tear through the rooms with his dirty feet , and he 's smashed one of my blue vases and torn down a curtain and set Towser on the cat half a dozen times already -- I never was so worried . I 've got him out on the verandah shelling peas now , to keep him quiet for a little spell . '' `` I 'm really sorry for you , '' said Mrs. John Joe . `` But , poor child , I suppose he 's never had anyone to look after him . And come all the way from Californy alone , too -- he must be real smart . '' `` Too smart , I guess .
He must take after his mother , whoever she was , XXXXX there ai n't a bit of Merrivale in him .
about along for from if of since than to with