“‘Blooming young’ fiddlesticks!” giggled old Dandy, not displeased at the words of his niece.
“But what made you telegraph us in such hot haste?”
“’Cause, after being away so long and coming so far, I got into a sort of fever to see my kin.”
“And we were in a fever to see you, you dear uncle, from the moment we got your dispatch. And we thank you now for sending it, although it did frighten us nearly to death on your account.”
“Isn’t it strange you should have cared so much for an old uncle you hadn’t seen nor heerd tell on for twenty years or more?” demanded Dandy with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Strange or not, it was so. But is it stranger than that you should have cared so much for me as to send a telegram and be in a fever to see me? Come, Uncle Dandy! You know ‘blood is thicker than water.’”
“That is so! Yes, that is so!” muttered the old man meditatively.
“Come, Julia! I think that we must go. You see, Mr. Quin——Or may I call you Uncle Quin?” inquired John Legg, interrupting his own speech.
“Uncle Quin, Uncle Andrew, Uncle Dandy—whichever you please,” cordially replied the old man.
“Then, Uncle Quin, I must tell you that we are very glad to find you in such good health. We are sorry, though, that you cannot go home with us at once. We shall have to return to Medge to-morrow. To-night, however, we shall have to find quarters in the village here, and will see you again in the morning before we leave. Shall we say good-night now?” said John Legg, offering his hand.