“I believe,” said Gabriel laughingly, “that you have been so bored here that you have actually played at gold-hunting for amusement.”
Uncle Sylvester took the pipe from his mouth and nodded.
“It's a common diversion of yours,” said Marie audaciously.
Uncle Sylvester smiled sweetly.
“And have you been successful THIS TIME?” asked Marie.
“I got the color.”
“Eh?”
Uncle Sylvester rose and placed himself with his back to the fire, gently surveying the assembled group.
“I was interrupted in a story of gold-digging last evening,” he said blandly. “How far had I got?”
“You were down on the San Joaquin River in the spring of '50, with a chap named Flint,” chorused Cousins Jane and Emma promptly.