“Hold your tongue, Miss Croaker,” said the Captain, roughly but kindly; and Miss Fosbrook could see that he was as much afraid of crying himself as of letting Susan cry; “I’ve no time for that. I’ve got a gentleman on business down stairs, and your Uncle John and I must go down to them again. We sha’n’t want dinner; only, Sue, tell them to send in some eggs and bacon, or cold meat, or whatever there may be, for tea; and get a room ready for your uncle.” He would have gone, but Susan called out, “O Papa, may we drink tea with you, Georgy and all!” “Yes, to be sure, if you won’t make a bear-fight, any of you, for your uncle.” “Mayn’t I come down with you?” added Sam, looking at him as if he wanted to make the most of every moment of that presence. “Better not, my boy,” said the Captain; “I’ve got law business to settle, and we don’t want you. Better stay and make yourselves decent for tea-time. Mamma’s love, and she hopes you’ll not drive Uncle John distracted.” And he was gone. “Bother Uncle John!” first muttered Sam (I am sorry to say). “I can’t think what he’s come for,” sighed Annie. “To spoil our fun,” suggested Johnnie disconsolately. “To take Sam to school,” added Hal, “while I go to sea.” “You don’t know that you are going,” said Elizabeth. “Papa said nothing about it.” “Oh! but I know I shall. Admiral Penrose promised.” “You know a great many things that don’t happen. You knew Colonel Carey would give you two sovereigns.” Henry looked as if he could bite. “Well, I shall finish Purday,” said Sam, turning away with a sigh; “and they shall have him for tea.” “Tea will be no fun!” repeated Annie. “Oh dear! what does Uncle John come here for?” “May not he come to be with his brother?” suggested Christabel. “Oh! but they are grown up,” said Annie. “Can’t he have him in London, without coming here to worry us in our little time!” added Johnnie. “Perhaps he will not worry you.” “Oh! but—” they all cried, and stopped short. “He plagues about manners,” said Annie. “He wanted Susie and me to be sent to school!” said Bessie. “He said it was like dining with young Hottentots.” “He told Papa it was disgraceful, when we had all been sliding on the great pond in the village,” added Annie. “And he gave Sam a box on the ear, for only just taking a dear little river cray-fish in his fishing-net to show Aunt Alice.” “The net was dripping wet,” observed Bessie. “Yes,” said Anne; “but Aunt Alice is so finikin and fidgety; she never wets her feet, and can’t get over a stile, and is afraid of a cow; and he wants us all to be like her.” “And he makes Papa and Mamma mind things that they don’t mind by nature,” said Susan. “Mamma always tells us to be good, and never play at hockey in the house when he’s there,” said Anne. “She has not told us so this time,” said John triumphantly.