"Come, Mary, don't make me out a patriarch. I'm only sixty-five, and I can tackle a pretty good day's work yet."
"You might be sick, Uncle Jacob."
"Don't let us imagine unpleasant things, Mary. I don't mean to be sick."
"And at any rate you can come and stay with us. You will always find a home here, though an humble one."
"Do you really mean that, Mary?" said Uncle Jacob, earnestly. "Would you really be willing to take in the old man, and provide for his comforts?"
"Of course I would, Uncle Jacob," answered Mrs. Barton, heartily. "I hope you didn't think so poorly of me as to doubt it."
"No, I was sure you hadn't changed so much since you were a girl. Well, Mary, I may some time remind you of your promise."
"You won't need to remind me, Uncle Jacob. I was afraid Albert would take you wholly away from us."
"So he might if I were as rich as he thinks I am; but now let us talk about other things. Remember, I haven't heard any family news for many years, and I have a great many questions to ask."
The rest of the evening was spent in such conversation as Uncle Jacob suggested, and when he had occasion to look at his watch, he started in surprise.