"Then stop blubberin', and introduce me to your friend," continued
Uncle John. "Name's Watson, ain't it."
"Silas Watson, sir, at your service," said the lawyer, smiling. "And this must be John Merrick, who I understand has arrived at Elmhurst during my absence."
"Exactly," said Uncle John, and the two men shook hands cordially.
"Glad to welcome you to Elmhurst, sir," continued the lawyer. "I've known it ever since I was a boy, when it belonged to my dear friend Thomas Bradley. And I hope you'll love it as much as I do, when you know it better."
"Bradley must have been a fool to give this place to Jane," said Uncle
John, reflectively.
"He was in love, sir," observed the other, and they both smiled. Then the lawyer turned to Kenneth. "How are things going?" he asked. "Have the girls bothered you much, as yet?"
"No," said the boy. "I keep out of their way."
"That's a good idea. By the bye, sir," turning to John Merrick. "I've just brought you a new niece."
"Patricia?"
"She prefers to be called Patsy. A queer little thing; half Irish, you know."