"Very," said Jack soothingly.
"Call me Cousin John. Or Uncle John if you like. I'm more like your uncle, I should think. Shake hands, and say, Right you are, Uncle John. Call me Uncle John."
Jack shook hands once more, and dutifully, as to a crazy person, he said:
"Right you are, Uncle John."
Tom, in the background, was going into convulsions. But Rackett remained quite serious.
Uncle John closed his eyes muttering, and fell back under the cart-umbrella.
"Mr. Grant," said Dr. Rackett, "I think Jack would like to eat something after his ride."
"All right, let him go to the kitchen with yon buck wallaby as can't keep a straight face. Stop with me a minute yourself, Mister, if you will."
The two boys bundled away into the kitchen. The woman had a meal ready, and they sat down at the table.
"I thank my stars," said Tom impressively, "he's not my Uncle John."