But Raymond, at the sight of his uncle, had suddenly left his seat, and, with his hands in his pockets, had disappeared in the tangled shrubbery which led away from the lake on the other side.
Reginald, however, stopped when his uncle called, and Salome, rising, said,—
"Did you want us, Uncle Loftus?" The pale, tear-stained face and little slight figure, in its black, sombre dress, touched Dr. Wilton.
"Yes, my dear; I came to talk with you and your eldest brother, as—well, as reasonable people. Sit down, Salome," and he drew her towards him on the bench.
"You know, my dear," he began, "you know you will have to leave Maplestone at once,—the sooner for all of you the better, I think,—for the place is in the possession of your poor father's creditors. Now, my dear, listen to me."
"I am listening, Uncle Loftus," Salome said.
"I cannot do much for you, for I have a large family and many expenses; but I have been thinking Roxburgh would be a good place for you all to live in. The small boys could go to school, and—"
"I mean to teach Carl and Hans, Uncle Loftus. There are Raymond and Reginald. Reginald is not fourteen."