"Uncle Anthony, don't you know me?"
"Eh? I do; to be sure I do," he answered, peering dimly upon Rhoda: "I'm always meeting one of you."
"I've been down in the City, trying to find you all day, uncle. I meet you—I might have missed! It is direction from heaven, for I prayed."
Anthony muttered, "I'm out for a holiday."
"This"—Rhoda pointed to a house—"is where I am lodging."
"Oh!" said Anthony; "and how's your family?"
Rhoda perceived that he was rather distraught. After great persuasion, she got him to go upstairs with her.
"Only for two seconds," he stipulated. "I can't sit."
"You will have a cup of tea with me, uncle?"
"No; I don't think I'm equal to tea."