Great Uncle Hoot-Toot

with which, as her lawyers told her, she was threatened; the sisters were anxious too, though, with the bright hopefulness of the

es, it was impossible for his sisters to bear with him as patiently as usual; perhaps the sight of his mother's pale face made him dissatisfied with himself and cross because he would not honestly own that he was doing nothing to help and please her. And the weather was very disagreeable, and among Geoff's many "hates" was a very exaggerated dislike to bad weather. About this sort of thing he had grumbled

ittle sister had rushed to the door on hearing Geoff's ring, so that his majesty should not be kep

ou've changed your things. Do run up quick, Ge

d mind just not to change my clothes, and take my chance of getting cold. It's perfect slavery-

r mackintosh on

n rags. I should have

an't be so bad. You'v

for a year. The buttons are all o

ed her," said Vic, resolving to see to the unhappy mackintosh hersel

" said Geoff, in what he thought a very manly tone. "Here, Vicky, help me to pull

, and his little sister ready to pour out his tea, he did condescend to say that she was a good child! But even though his toast was hot and crisp, and his egg boiled to perfection, Geoff's pleasanter mood did not last long. He had a good many lessons t

, Geoff?" she said, when h

ou don't suppose I stay down there grinding away t

ed his sisters,

ned up

his life-nothing but fault-finding as soon as I show my face. I wish I were out of it, I do! I'd ra

ompletely the better of him. The noise he was making had prevented him and the others from hearing the bell ring-pre

r; "I don't want you to ann

left the

hate this life, I do. I am grinding at lessons from morning t

behind him m

, hoot-toot! Come, I say, this sort of thin

drowned in a scre

h, Geoff, Geoff! he is not often such a foolish boy, unc

t suddenly she grew strangely pale, and seemed on the point of falling.

silly old man that I am. Where's that ill-tempered fellow off to?" he went on, gl

ing forward. Geoffrey had di

ad got her on to the sofa. "Don't be frightened, Elsa dear. Nor you, uncle; it w

hose idiots of lawyers!

d I have not paid much attention to him la

e's used to a good deal too much attention," he added as an asi

ing, but for her mother's s

" Mrs. Tudor went on gently. "How was it? Had you started

entleman, "when your letter came. It struck me then that I could get hom

l about this bad news?" sa

OF GREAT-UNC

to E

ng you about it, my dear, I can't conceive. It was quite against all my orders. What

en anticipating the very worst. I did not quite like to put it in words to these poor children"-and she looked u

be all right, you'll see. We'll go into it all, and you have nothing to do but leave things to me. Now let us talk of pleasanter matters. What a nice, pret

wered the mother, warmly. "And so is

Hoot-Toot's real name, you must know, was Mr. Victor Byr

f is doing very well at school. You will have a good rep

ess for seeing both. Never mind about that just now. I never take up impressions hastily. Don't be afraid. I'll see Master Ge

udor s

t, Elsa and Frances?" she asked. "

said Elsa. "I think the days f

" said Mr. Byrne; "new

began Frances, eagerly. Then blus

leman burst

o it. It's what they always call

nephews and nieces be

e laughe

far and wide. And-there are a great many blanks, Alice, my dear, since I was last at home," he added, turning to Mr

ppointed; "you are not our real uncl

oing. I shall see you to-morrow after I've had it out with that donkey Norris. What a stupid idiot he is, to be sure!" and for

she said. "Will you not co

r. He'd frighten all the neighbours. And you'd fuss yourself, thinking I wasn't comfortable. I'll come up to-morrow

ent the little old

her sat staring at each oth

n you believe he has reall

"But I am very thankful. If

their own thoughts about their brother,