Free press., 1907-01-12

T IsTENERs. of course. cannot complain
IL of what they hear; but Uncle did not
intend to listen.
he took of his spectacles. and had come
downstairs again in his dressing-gown and
slippers to look for it. The dining-room
door was ajar, and he heard his name men
toned before he had time to cough. He
had breath to cough with after hearing
what he heard
I'm quite sure that Uncle is trying"
he had just come home from abroad. II
don't want him to live with any more
than you do; but beggars can't be
1--WE aren't quite beggars. dad" Mar
ian said.O her impulsive way. "and I'd
aud want to alter everything to his
ideas. He suggests little improvements in
for Bob and me. everything We do is wrong.
uncs @s.D she H.oDis initiated
Marian dear!" mother interposed gently.
you mammS You S aren't a SeF{ {hOTshteas tes
young person-only an angel Father isn't
%ee te po e'9ed daddy fSS %s at the
oh-h. Let me go! No; there isn't then!
Anyhow. Bob and are young. and we like
you and dad
You don't grumble if We chase one
ions. Dad rather likes it if we hit him
by mistake. If you'd seen Uncle's face
pillow Bob threw hit him 90,
Marian and Bob laughed and Uncle
bob ought to be ashamed of himself
father said. Uncle could hear that he was
Bob apologized. but Marry ducked. Look
here. dad Can't 1 get some extra work in
the evenings. and make up the money you'd
get out of him? You see we-we've always
got jolly we'll together at home. It's an
awful bore having someone else forced upon
us He isn't going to pay SO very N much ana
1t wont be all proht, l suppose
MY dear boy" father objected, 'it isn't
just what he pays. He.it sounds rather
poor He must leave his his money to to some. some.
do for you and Marian.
Mother and don't want it for our,
1o but bse T hao dare saY e sba
feel the presence OF an intruder in our
happy little family circle as much as you
will but don't see what else we can do. "
You see. dears." mother explained. ''yOur
lately. I can't say that I'm quite pleased
to have stranger among US. and 1 own
that he is a trife fdgety. but dare say he
means well.
Perhaps we shall get on all right when
we understand another better. L am
sure that what father thinks best is best
There was silence. and mothers knitting
vow and fsthef hnE it is right that
settles it," Bob said, land we'll do our best
to get on with him; but I'm afraid we shall
I'm sure we SHALL" Marian agreed
Don't look like that. mummy Well try
to behave Iike-iike young people did il
Uncles young days-if he ever was young
1 tell you what well do. Bob. When he
gets too bad wen go out in the passage
and just make grimaces at the door.
81 shall keep out of his way altogether,
Bob declared. I've patience with hi
twadde. I'd like to know how often b
tells that story about the lion? I wonde
'of course not" Marian said: ''H
shoot a lion Why. he's afraid of Mink
Diddums think I called him, silly old dog
You don't like him. do you Minxie? Hea
me say Uncle and make Mink bark.
Marian dear!'' mother protested.
We'll mother, do you believe he shot tn
lion?"
''It is a very nice skim mother remarke
thoughtfully. People sometimes eXagger
ate just a little they get older; but
might have shot it, don't you think father
s'Umph.' said father. ''Ye-es. shoul
think he was a very good shot-with tn
Iong-bow. He's got another story about
tiger. He's only told it twice as ye
but 1t beats the lion story hollow.
Uncle did not wait to hear any NOR
If they had not been laughing so muc
at fathers version of the tiger story the
must have heard him slam his bedroom
door. They would have been somewhs
startled II they had seen his face. as b
stood like a statue, crouching httle' wit