The night before Thanksgiving everything was ready , and I was so tired I could hardly talk to Jimmy Nelson when he dropped in . Jimmy had something on his mind , I saw that . So I said , '' ` Fess up , Jimmy , and then you 'll be able to enjoy your call . '' `` I want to ask a favour of you , Aunt Patty , '' said Jimmy . I knew I should have to grant it ; nobody could refuse Jimmy anything , he looked so much like a nice , clean , pink-and-white little schoolboy whose mother had just scrubbed his face and told him to be good . At the same time he was one of the wildest young scamps in Carleton , or had been until a year ago . I 'd got him well set on the road to reformation , and I felt worse about leaving him than any of the rest of them . I knew he was just at the critical point . With somebody to tide him over the next half year he 'd probably go straight for the rest of his life , but if he were left to himself he 'd likely just slip back to his old set and ways . `` I want you to let me bring my Uncle Joe to dinner tomorrow , '' said Jimmy . `` The poor old fellow is stranded here for Thanksgiving , and he hates hotels . May I ? '' `` Of course , '' I said heartily , wondering why Jimmy seemed to think I might n't want his Uncle Joe . `` Bring him right along . '' `` Thanks , '' said Jimmy . `` He 'll be more than pleased . Your sublime cookery will delight him . He adores the west , but he ca n't endure its cooking . He 's always harping on his mother 's pantry and the good old down-east dinners . He 's dyspeptic and pessimistic most of the time , and he 's got half a dozen cronies just like himself .
All they think XXXXX is railroads and bills of fare . ''
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