“But what made you telegraph us in such hot haste?” “’Cause, after being away so long and coming so far, I got into a sort of fever to see my kin.” “And we were in a fever to see you, you dear uncle, from the moment we got your dispatch. And we thank you now for sending it, although it did frighten us nearly to death on your account.” “Isn’t it strange you should have cared so much for an old uncle you hadn’t seen nor heerd tell on for twenty years or more?” demanded Dandy with a twinkle in his eyes. “Strange or not, it was so. But is it stranger than that you should have cared so much for me as to send a telegram and be in a fever to see me? Come, Uncle Dandy! You know ‘blood is thicker than water.’” “That is so! Yes, that is so!” muttered the old man meditatively. “Come, Julia! I think that we must go. You see, Mr. Quin——Or may I call you Uncle Quin?” inquired John Legg, interrupting his own speech. “Uncle Quin, Uncle Andrew, Uncle Dandy—whichever you please,” cordially replied the old man. “Then, Uncle Quin, I must tell you that we are very glad to find you in such good health. We are sorry, though, that you cannot go home with us at once. We shall have to return to Medge to-morrow. To-night, however, we shall have to find quarters in the village here, and will see you again in the morning before we leave. Shall we say good-night now?” said John Legg, offering his hand. “Oh, stay! stop! I forgot! Mr. Randolph Hay wishes to see you both—wants to make your acquaintance—and made me promise to bring you into the drawing-room. Come!” said Dandy, taking the offered hand of his nephew and trying to draw him toward a door. John Legg hesitated, looked at his wife, and then inquired: “Who’s in there?” “Squire and wife, and brother-in-law and lawyer, parson and wife and daughter, and a backwoodsman—all plain people as you needn’t be afraid on; I ain’t.” “We would rather not go in. We are not exactly dressed for company, right off a railway journey, and a very long one at that, as we are. Can’t you step in and persuade the young squire to come out and speak to us? You can tell him how it is.” “Well, I’ll go and try,” said Dandy. And he returned to the drawing-room, went up to Ran, and whispered: “Mr. Hay, my niece and nephy be plain folk and a bit shy. They want to pay their respects to you, but don’t like to face the company in the drawing-room. Will you please come and speak to them in the hall?” “Certainly,” replied Ran, rising; and then turning to his friends he added: “I am called out for a moment. Will you excuse me?” Smiles and nods from every one answered him. He followed Dandy to the hall. “Mr. Randolph Hay, sir,” said the old man with solemn formality, “will you have the goodness to allow me to interdooce to your honor my niece and nephy, Juley and John Legg?” Julia stood up and dropped her rustic, housemaid’s courtesy. John took off his hat and bowed. Ran held out a hand to each, saying cordially: