Then the man appealed to the children.
“I’m your uncle. You must mind me. You can’t refuse.”
“Oh, I am so afraid of him!” half sobbed little Nell, clinging to her brother.
“What do you say, Jack?” asked Frank. “Shall he go?”
“Yes!” cried the boy, straightening up. “He looks like a bad man, and he talks like one. Sister is afraid of him. He must go!”
“You hear,” said Merry to Hicks.
“Yes, I hear,” he snarled; “but I will not go! I stand on my rights. You’re not going to have the money they make to blow for clothes! I’ll take care of it.”
“And squander it for liquor. You shall not do that. If you do not go at once, I shall throw you out.”
“Don’t you dare put a hand on me!”
Old Joe looked dangerous then, but Frank advanced on him. The man flung down the picture and reached toward a pocket. With a leap, Merry was on him and had him by the neck.