Now Mrs. Woodward knew her uncle to be an honest-minded man; she knew also, that, in spite of his protestation as to being a very poor man, he had saved money enough to make him of some consequence wherever he went; and she therefore conceived that she could not with prudence send him to seek a home among chance strangers. She explained as much of this to the girls as she thought proper, and ended the matter by making them understand that Captain Cuttwater was to be received. On the Saturday after this the three scions of the Civil Service were all at Surbiton Cottage, and it will show how far Charley had then made good his ground, to state that the coming of the captain was debated in his presence. 'And when is the great man to be here?' said Norman. 'At once, I believe,' said Mrs. Woodward; 'that is, perhaps, before the end of this week, and certainly before the end of next.' 'And what is he like?' said Alaric. 'Why, he has a tail hanging down behind, like a cat or a dog,' said Katie. 'Hold your tongue, miss,' said Gertrude. 'As he is to come he must be treated with respect; but it is a great bore. To me it will destroy all the pleasures of life.' 'Nonsense, Gertrude,' said Mrs. Woodward; 'it is almost wicked of you to say so. Destroy all the pleasure of life to have an old gentleman live in the same house with you!--you ought to be more moderate, my dear, in what you say.' 'That's all very well, mamma,' said Gertrude, 'but you know you don't like him yourself.' 'But is it true that Captain Cuttwater wears a pigtail?' asked Norman. 'I don't care what he wears,' said Gertrude; 'he may wear three if he likes.' 'Oh! I wish he would,' said Katie, laughing; 'that would be so delicious. Oh, Linda, fancy Captain Cuttwater with three pigtails!' 'I am sorry to disappoint you, Katie,' said Mrs. Woodward, 'but your uncle does not wear even one; he once did, but he cut it off long since.' 'I am so sorry,' said Katie. 'I suppose he'll want to dine early, and go to bed early?' said Linda. 'His going to bed early would be a great blessing,' said Gertrude, mindful of their midnight conclaves on Saturdays and Sundays. 'But his getting up early won't be a blessing at all,' said Linda, who had a weakness on that subject. 'Talking of bed, Harry, you'll have the worst of it,' said Katie, 'for the captain is to have your room.' 'Yes, indeed,' said Mrs. Woodward, sighing gently, 'we shall no longer have a bed for you, Harry; that _is_ the worst of it.' Harry of course assured her that if that was the worst of it there was nothing very bad in it. He could have a bed at the inn as well as Alaric and Charley. The amount of that evil would only be half-a-crown a night. And thus the advent of Captain Cuttwater was discussed. CHAPTER IV CAPTAIN CUTTWATER