“Uncle Fred?”
The young man smiled at hearing himself so addressed, but he was pleased to be accepted on such terms.
“Yes, my little man, it is Uncle Fred; and if Uncle Fred had only been here a few minutes earlier, all this should not have happened. I am very sorry those rascally nephews of mine have given you such a fright; but you will be a brave boy, I know, and not think of it more than you can help, and you will be none the worse in the long run.”
Bertie remembered all about it now, and he began to tremble in spite of the kindly pressure of Uncle Fred’s arm round him.
“What is the matter, my child? You are not afraid now?”
“No—not exactly—if they won’t do it again.”
“I will take care they do not.”
“They said they would throw me in to teach me to swim,” and the child’s teeth chattered at the bare recollection.
Uncle Fred muttered some words that Bertie did not catch, and then said aloud,—
“Never you mind what they said. They shall never have another chance.”