“Ah, it’s nice to be young and good-looking, and well off,” said Uncle Luke. “Nobody gives me such a welcome.”
“How can you say that,” said Madelaine, with a laugh. “Come, Uncle Luke, and we’re very glad to see you.”
As she spoke she put her hands on his shoulders, and kissed his wrinkled cheek.
“Hah! that’s like old times, Maddy,” said the grim-looking visitor, softening a little. “Why didn’t you keep a nice plump little girl, same as you used to be?”
Madelaine gave him a smile and nod, but left the old man with her father, and followed her mother and Leslie into the dining-room.
“So that’s to be it, is it, Van, eh?”
“I don’t know,” was the reply. “It’s all very sudden and a surprise to me.”
“Angled for it, haven’t you?”
“Angled? No.”
“She has then. My dear boy, son of my heart, the very man for my darling, eh?” chuckled Uncle Luke.