My uncle's face was as dark as a thunder-cloud when I handed him the letters. I made up my mind he was about to lecture me for having taken my time, and I braced up to withstand the shower of strong language he would be sure to heap upon me.
"So, young man, you've got back at last!" he exclaimed.
"Yes, sir."
"Been rather a long while."
To this I made no reply. What was there to say?
"It's a wonder you came back at all," he went on. "To be honest, I never expected to see you again."
"I'm sorry I can't please you, Uncle Felix."
"Don't Uncle Felix me!" he cried savagely. "After your dirty work to-day I don't want to be any relation to you."
This was certainly putting it rather strongly.
"Whether you believe it or not, I didn't muss up the office," I said firmly. "Gus did that."