"Aunt and uncle are here, and my cousins."
"What has that to do with me?" he asked.
"May they come up and see you, father?"
"No," he replied; "I can't be bothered. They wish to see me as little as I wish to see them."
While this last question was being asked and answered, Mrs. Pamflett entered the room.
"I think you should see them, sir," she said.
"Why?" he asked.
"As a mark of politeness," said Mrs. Pamflett. "Mr. Lethbridge and your nephew and niece have never been here before, and they might think it rude of you."
"Do I care if they do?" he snarled.
"It is not that," she answered, calmly, "but it is Miss Phœbe's birthday."