"I think she is fortunate in getting such an awfully nice man to take care of her."
The Admiral laughed.
"Women congratulate women, Ted. Men congratulate men."
"Ah, well," said the Major, drawing in a long whiff of his pipe, "I know I'm not a catch in any way. I'm not one of those fools that don't know their own value. I must thank you both for taking my news so well. We've lived together these many years very happily, and I shan't wish for any changes. There's room enough for us all in the old house, eh?"
Just for a second Sidney's eyes sought her father's anxiously, then she said gently:
"I don't expect we shall wish for any change, Uncle Ted."
"Will you write her a little friendly note, Sid? I am dining with her this evening. I thought perhaps you'd ask her up to dinner to-morrow night?"
"Yes; most certainly," said the Admiral, and Sidney added her assent.
A little silence fell on them. Sidney stood on the hearthrug, looking into the blazing fire in front of her. Then her uncle got up.
"Have my chair," he said. "I'm off to the workshop for half an hour."